Rafael Nadal’s comeback from injury was prematurely halted by Australia’s Jordan Thompson as the 22 time Grand Slam winner crashed out of Brisbane International on Friday. Nadal suffered a 7-5 6-7(6) 3-6 defeat in the quarter finals, failing to convert three match points in the game. The Spaniard underwent a medical timeout during the third set and visibly struggled as the contest reached its conclusion. Nadal said after the match that he was experiencing pain in the same place as his long term injury, but hoped it was nothing more than a muscle issue.
Nadal, the 37-year-old Spaniard, had been out of action for a year while recovering from a hip injury, but after dominating Thiem and Kubler this week, he was unable to repeat his form against Thompson in a much closer match on Friday. The pain didn’t help too, as Nadal struggled towards the end.
Speaking after the match, Nadal said, “It’s a very similar place to what happened last year, but different stuff, no? I feel more muscle. Last year was tendon. I feel the muscle tired. I mean, for sure it’s not the same like last year at all because when it happened last year, I felt something drastic immediately. Today I didn’t feel anything. The only problem is because the place is the same, you are a little bit more scared than usual.”
“As I said, I didn’t come here to win tournaments now, no? I just came here to try to come back & do it in a positive way. It was a very positive way. Then let’s see. I really hope if the feeling on that leg is better & better tomorrow & after tomorrow, then it’s perfect news. If not, as I said, we’re going to do a test & let’s see,” Nadal added.
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