Rafael Nadal’s Brisbane International journey ended in the quarterfinals against Jordan Thompson, a three-hour battle that included a comeback from the Australian. Despite displaying a positive performance upon his return to the court after nearly a year, Nadal faced a challenging defeat and a new physical concern—this time, a groin problem.
Thompson executed an effective tactical plan against Nadal, securing a 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 victory. Nadal, who fought with resilience, experienced the setback of squandering three match points and dealing with the adverse conditions in Brisbane.
Addressing the press, Nadal expressed uncertainty about the extent of his injury and emphasized the cautious approach needed due to the challenges of returning to top-level competition after an extended absence.
“I have to see how I wake up tomorrow. In recent days, when I have spoken, I have always done so with caution because I know that after a year, it is difficult for the body to compete in top-level tournaments. You never know how he will react. That’s why I have to accept things as they come. I hope it’s nothing serious, and I can have the chance to train next week in Melbourne. The truth is, right now, I’m not 100% sure about anything,” Nadal explained.
Fans and Nadal himself hope that the injury is related to fatigue after an intense three-hour match. Nadal detailed the nature of the discomfort, describing it as more of a tired muscle, yet expressing concern due to its proximity to the area of trouble he faced last year.
The 37-year-old acknowledged that his primary goal was not to win tournaments in his return but to make a positive comeback. The focus now shifts to managing the groin issue and assessing how Nadal wakes up in the coming days.
“If it was just tiredness, it would be a normal process. I didn’t come here to win tournaments; I came to try to come back in the most positive way. I hope that the feeling in my leg will be better until Sunday. That would be great news. If I don’t feel well, I’ll do some tests, and we’ll understand. Now it’s time to stay calm and wait to see how I wake up,” Nadal concluded, leaving fans and tennis enthusiasts awaiting updates on his physical condition.
