Defending Australian Open champion and No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal fell to Mackenzie McDonald throughout Tuesday’s second spherical after aggravating a left hip harm within the second set. He completed the match, however an MRI confirmed that the Spanish star will want a while to get well.
“Good afternoon. I’ve undergone medical exams after shedding yesterday,” Nadal tweeted. “The MRI exhibits a grade 2 harm within the iliopsoas muscle in my left leg. Now it is time for sports activities relaxation and anti inflammatory physiotherapy. Normal restoration time 6 to eight weeks.”
The iliopsoas muscle is the primary flexor of the hip joint. Nadal appeared to get injured whereas chasing down a forehand whereas trailing 3-4 within the second set. He was instantly checked by the coach and had to make use of a medical timeout. His spouse was seen crying within the stands.
During the publish match press convention, Nadal mentioned he got here into the match with some hip discomfort.
“It had been a few days like this, however nothing like right now in that second,” he mentioned on Tuesday. “I’ve historical past within the hip, I’ve had points. I’ve needed to do therapies prior to now and presently too, however this quantity of drawback, I really feel that I can not transfer.”
Nadal, who has gained an all-time document 22 Grand Slam males’s singles titles, mentioned he thought-about stopping however he did not ask the medical employees as a result of he feels he is aware of his personal physique. He mentioned he tried to play with out rising the harm, though he admitted it was a wrestle as he could not hit the backhand or run for the ball.
“I did not need to retire. Being the defending champion right here, I did not need to go away the court docket with a retirement,” Nadal mentioned. “Better like this on the finish, I misplaced. Nothing to say, congratulate the opponent.”
He felt frustration with the accidents, however tried to maintain a optimistic thoughts saying there’s not far more to do this to “preserve going.”
“I simply can’t say that I’m not destroyed mentally presently, as a result of I shall be mendacity. It’s onerous for me,” Nadal mentioned.
“I actually hope that it does not put me out of the court docket for a very long time… It’s not solely the restoration. It’s all the quantity of labor that you might want to put collectively to return again at an honest stage.”
