Spaniard and 22-time Grand Slam winner said his body is “not ready to compete at the maximum level in five-set matches” and he will fly back home for treatment and rest; the Australian Open starts on January 15; 37-year-old returned this month after a year out due to a hip flexor injury.
Rafael Nadal has confirmed he has pulled out of this month’s Australian Open due to a muscle tear, but says it is a different injury to the one that kept him out for a year.
The 37-year-old made his comeback this month at the Brisbane International after a year out due to a hip flexor injury that ultimately required surgery.
