It was after two matches in last year’s Australian Open that Nadal had to take a break and had surgery on a painful hip in June. He did not return until this week’s tournament in Brisbane, Australia, a pre-tournament to the first Grand Slam of the year.
Today, 37-year-old Nadal burned three match points as Jordan Thompson won 5-7,7-6(8-6)6-3 in a match where he had to take a medical timeout.
– I hope I can train next week and play the Australian Open, but I’m not 100 percent sure, he says according to several news media.
Nadal says the pain is in his left hip, the same hip he’s had problems with but it may not be the same problem.
Hope it’s muscle pain
– The pain is in the same place, but I feel that it is a little more muscular due to the fatigue, says Nadal, who has played three singles matches in Brisbane in a short time.
He has a different feeling than last time.
– Last season it was late and the feeling was completely different because I felt it much more. Today I felt nothing, what happens is that you get more scared when it’s in the same place.
Nadal hopes that it is the tough schedule after such a long rest that has irritated the muscles and that the body can recover.
– I hope it’s just that I have a strong muscle after several days of playing, says Nadal.