Returning Nadal can’t shake memories of injury nightmare

Rafael Nadal admitted he felt twinges of the upper left leg injury which took him out of the sport for a year during Friday’s quarter-final defeat in Brisbane.

The Spanish icon missed out on three match point chances in a 7-5, 6-7(6), 4-6 upset loss to Australian Jordan Thompson.

The 37-year-old who could be into his final season, also left the court for an injury timeout.

But the 22-time Grand Slam winner insisted that the physical problem was nothing like as serious as last January when a second-round Australian Open loss marked the end of an abbreviated season.

 “For sure it’s not the same like last year at all, because last year, I felt something drastic immediately,” he said.

Today I didn’t feel anything. The only problem is because the place is the same, you are a little bit more scared than usua
“In an ideal world, it’s just the muscle supercharged after a few days of effort and a very tough match.”

Nadal now has a week in Melbourne to prepare for the start of the Open next Sunday.

“I’m tired, of course, Sad in this moment because I had plenty of opportunities,” he said after the Brisbane International setback.

“That’s it, I need to accept all this kind of stuff. After a year, that’s normal that things happen.

“As I say every day: Every day is a different story, and things are difficult after such a long time.

“Today the opponent played well, made me play one more ball. I didn’t play bad, but I was just one ball away.”

Main photo:-Australian Open 2023 Day 3 Injured Rafa Nadal loses second round match by Mr Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd