Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Australian Open, marking a setback in his comeback journey following a hip strain and subsequent surgery that sidelined him for the majority of the 2023 ATP Tour.
Nadal made a return to the court at the 2024 Brisbane International, showing glimpses of his former self with victories over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. However, a quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson revealed a minor inconvenience in his upper left leg, leading to the discovery of a micro tear on a muscle. This setback has forced the 37-year-old to undergo rehab in Spain, ruling him out of the upcoming Grand Slam event.
The news comes as a disappointment to Nadal’s fans who were eagerly anticipating his presence in Melbourne, especially since he had secured entry via protected rankings. Despite the setback, the impact of Nadal’s absence on top-seeded players like Novak Djokovic may be minimal.
Djokovic, the defending champion and No. 1 seed, is poised to face formidable challenges in Melbourne, with several contenders vying for the title. Nadal, initially considered a dark horse, had stated his intention to take each match as it comes, not aiming for the title.
With Nadal out of the equation, Djokovic’s primary competition may come from rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Jannik Sinner, who have demonstrated impressive form. The Serb will also be wary of players who showcased exceptional performances in the United Cup, such as Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev.
While the absence of a potential Djokovic-Nadal clash is a missed storyline, Nadal’s withdrawal is not expected to significantly alter Djokovic’s prospects of securing his 25th Grand Slam title. The Australian Open promises an exciting and competitive field, with Djokovic focused on the challenges posed by the emerging talents and seasoned players alike.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Ranked world no.672, Nadal played his last match on the 5th of January when he was overcome by world no.55 Jordan Thompson 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
Presently, during this year Rafael has a 2-1 match record.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
WLWWWWWWWW Now ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd of January when he lost to world no.12 Alex De Minaur 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Australia (draw).
At present, during this year Djokovic achieved a 2-1 win-loss record.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic clashed against each other 59 times. Their current head to head is 30-29 for Djokovic. The last time they competed against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter in Paris (French Open) in May 2022.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
