Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his second round loss to Mackenzie McDonald of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, January 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal injured his left hip flexor his defeat at the Australian Open and could take about six to eight weeks to fully recover, his manager said Thursday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion underwent an MRI scan under medical supervision at a Melbourne hospital on Thursday, a day after he was injured in a direct exit against Mackenzie McDonald in the second round at Melbourne Park.
Nadal was the defending champion and No. 1 in Australia.
The 36-year-old will now return to Spain to rest.
Nadal has lost seven of his last nine matches, stemming from a fourth-round loss at the US Open in September.
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