Rafael Nadal had arthroscopic surgery for the hip injury that prevented him from competing in the 2023 French Open
Rafael Nadal had arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left hip flexor on Friday night, forcing him to miss the French Open for the first time since he won the first of his tournament-record 14 championships there in 2005.
Benito Perez-Barbadillo, a spokesperson for Rafael Nadal, said that three physicians were engaged in the treatment, which was being performed in Barcelona.
On Saturday, Nadal’s 37th birthday, Perez-Barbadillo said he hoped to be able to provide details regarding the procedure.
Since his defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18, the Spaniard has not participated in any competitions. Nadal’s mobility was obviously hindered for the most of the match, and he was eliminated earlier than he has at any Grand Slam event since 2016.
The depth of the damage was discovered via an MRI the following day, and Perez-Barbadillo predicted that Nadal might need up to two months to completely heal at the time. He wanted to compete in the Monte Carlo Masters on his favourite red clay in March, but he was unable to do so. He then withdrew from tournament after tournament, which made it less likely that he would be prepared for the French Open.
On May 18, Nadal stated that he will have to forgo this year’s trip to participate in Paris during a press conference at his tennis school in Manacor, Spain. He said that he would have to stop playing tennis altogether, including all competitions and even practises.
The following season will likely be his last before he retires, he said, adding that he is unsure of when or even if he would be able to return to the tour.
Since losing to Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the U.S. Open in September, Nadal has lost seven of his last nine matches overall and is just 1-3 this season.
With 22 major titles, Nadal and Novak Djokovic share the male record. A three-set victory against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday at Court Philippe Chatrier propelled Djokovic into the fourth round of the Roland Garros tournament. He is now four match victories away from overtaking Nadal for the first time.
