22-time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal underwent arthroscopic surgery on Friday to help improve his condition due to the hip injury that has kept him out of action since the Australian Open in January. According to his PR, the result of the surgery will be evaluated on Saturday, June 3rd, the day of his 37th birthday. In May, Nadal made a statement from his academy saying that he had not recovered as well as he had hoped from his hip injury and therefore was withdrawing from the French Open 2023 and Wimbledon with no stamp regarding his return to the sport.
Nadal’s team announces he is underoing arthroscopic surgery to examine the left psoas muscle that has kept him out of competition since January. Surgery is being done in Barcelona by Dr. Ruiz-Cotorro, Nadal’s longtime physician, and Dr. Philippon and Dr. Vilaró.
Update Saturday pic.twitter.com/xfR29uEtRr
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Nadal, who is a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, has always said that Paris is his favorite place to play. His withdrawal this year marked the first time he had missed the tournament since 2004, when he pulled out due to injury as well.
Rafa is also set to miss Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion and gained one of his biggest victories over his friend and foe Roger Federer in 2008.
The Spaniard had also said that 2024 would likely be his last year on tour, creating shockwaves in the tennis community.
Also Read: ‘I am a complete player’: Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open 2023
Nadal’s potential return to the tour
Nadal had initially said that he had suffered a hip injury during his second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open 2023 and that it would take about 6–8 weeks to heal. However, his condition hasn’t improved, and according to sources, he is planning to return to the court during the hard court swing this year and could potentially be seen playing for Spain in the Davis Cup in September.
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