Australian Open: Rafael Nadal is out for up to eight weeks after injury

Enlarge image

Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open

Photo: IMAGO/Mike Frey/IMAGO/USA TODAY Network

Spain's tennis star Rafael Nadal expects a downtime of six to eight weeks after his injury in the second round of the Australian Open.

The 36-year-old announced this in a statement on social media.

The MRI scan revealed second-degree damage to the iliopsoas muscle, the main muscle involved in hip flexion in the groin, in his left leg.

Now the time for "sports rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy" has come, Nadal wrote.

In Melbourne, Nadal had no chance in his second round match against the American Mackenzie McDonald after suffering the injury in the second set.

His wife Maria was clearly affected by the scenes, tears ran down her cheeks in the stands.

Nadal lost 4-6, 4-6, 5-7.

It was his earliest exit from the Melbourne hard court tournament since 2016.

Immediately after his three-set loss to USA's Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday when he injured himself on a long step, Nadal had left his future open.

"I didn't want to give up as the defending champion," Nadal said after the game: "It's the hip.

I couldn't hit the backhand at all and couldn't run anymore.« He also expressed the hope that he would not have to pause for a long time again.

The diagnosis is now a major setback for the tennis star.

It is "tiring and frustrating" that "a large part" of his career consists of fighting back from injuries.

He must avoid a longer break because of the current hip injury, "because if not," said the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner, "it will be difficult".

Six months ago, Nadal even had to give up due to injury at the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon.

At that time he did not compete in the semifinals against Australian Nick Kyrgios due to a torn abdominal muscle.

Nadal has also been suffering from chronic foot pain for years, which is why, according to his own statements, he had already thought about retiring not too long ago.

ara/dpa