No Nadal in Australia Open 2024: A never-ending quest to regain fitness

Since Nadal has suffered a minor muscle tear, the Spaniard is expected to return to court in the French Open, scheduled to begin May 20, 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics at the end of July.

There will be no 'common Rafa' chants at Melbourne Park in 2024. 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the 2024 Australian Open due to a muscle tear. This was a major dampener for the Nadal fans, who have been waiting to see their champion at the grandest stage since 2023. 

With age not on his side, 37-year-old Nadal is racing against time to give his fans another chance to cheer in Grand Slams. However, it is not the end for Rafa, who said 2024 could be his last year. 

Nadal's latest injury, unlike the last year's, has not been threatening. On Sunday, he posted on social media that scans after he arrived in Melbourne revealed a small tear in the muscle.

"Right now, I am not ready to compete at the maximum level," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"This is not very bad news, and we all remain positive about the evolution for the season."


 

When Rafael  Nadal returned to the Tennis court

Since Nadal has suffered a minor muscle tear, the Spaniard is expected to return to court in his favourite Grand Slam, the French Open, scheduled to begin May 20, 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics at the end of July.

Nadal's never-ending quest to regain fitness since January 2023

January 2023: Nadal played his last competitive singles match, losing in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open.

April 2023: He pulled out of Madrid Masters; 'significant injury' to his psoas muscle hasn't healed as fast as expected at Melbourne Park.

May 2023: The 14-time French Open champion pulled out of Roland Garros, saying he would try to return in 2024, 'probably' his last year on tour.

June 2023: He had arthroscopic surgery on the left psoas muscle in Barcelona. He said the normal recovery process is five months, as the doctors said.

August 2023: According to his coach Carlos Moya in an interview with ATP, Nadal and his team begin training,' but very lightly'.

September 2023: Nadal hinted that he might return in 2024, again saying it might still be his final year on the tour.

October 2023: At a promotional event, Nadal said, "I'm in less pain, but I still have some discomfort". He confirmed he will not return in 2023.

December 2023: On Dec 2, Nadal announced that he would return to the tour at Brisbane International ahead of the Australian Open starting January 14.

January 2024: Nadal pulled out of Australia Open due to a muscle tear. He had lost in the quarterfinals at Brisbane International.

Nadal's record in Grand Slam finals (Singles)
YEAR	EVENT	WINNER	RUNNER-UP	SCORE
2022	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Casper Ruud	6-3, 6-3, 6-0
2022	Australian Open	Rafael Nadal	Daniil Medvedev	2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
2020	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Novak Djokovic	6-0, 6-2, 7-5
2019	US Open	Rafael Nadal	Daniil Medvedev	7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4
2019	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Dominic Thiem	6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
2019	Australian Open	Novak Djokovic	Rafael Nadal	6-3, 6-2, 6-3
2018	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Dominic Thiem	6-4, 6-3, 6-2
2017	US Open	Rafael Nadal	Kevin Anderson	6-3, 6-3, 6-4
2017	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Stan Wawrinka	6-2, 6-3, 6-1
2017	Australian Open	Roger Federer	Rafael Nadal	6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
2014	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Novak Djokovic	3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4
2014	Australian Open	Stan Wawrinka	Rafael Nadal	6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
2013	US Open	Rafael Nadal	Novak Djokovic	6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
2013	French Open	Rafael Nadal	David Ferrer	6-3, 6-2, 6-3
2012	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Novak Djokovic	6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
2012	Australian Open	Novak Djokovic	Rafael Nadal	5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
2011	US Open	Novak Djokovic	Rafael Nadal	6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1
2011	Wimbledon	Novak Djokovic	Rafael Nadal	6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
2011	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1
2010	US Open	Rafael Nadal	Novak Djokovic	6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
2010	Wimbledon	Rafael Nadal	Tomas Berdych	6-3, 7-5, 6-4
2010	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Robin Soderling	6-4, 6-2, 6-4
2009	Australian Open	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2
2008	Wimbledon	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7
2008	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	6-1, 6-3, 6-0
2007	Wimbledon	Roger Federer	Rafael Nadal	7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2
2007	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2006	Wimbledon	Roger Federer	Rafael Nadal	6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-3
2006	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer	1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4)
2005	French Open	Rafael Nadal	Mariano Puerta	6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5