In unfortunate news, the 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal, suffered a hip injury during his quarter-final tie against Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International forcing him to pull out from the Australian Open.
The formerATP No. 1, who was sidelined for almost a whole year, won his opening matches against Dominic Theim and Jason Kluber, but his luck, and his hopes to come back at a high level, ended there.
The grimacing Nadal summoned his trainer in the middle his match against Thompson, as the hearts of the crowd in attendance skipped a beat, wary that the tennis icon re-injured his surgically repaired hip that left him inactive for months.
The Spaniard shared that the results of his tests had shown a micro tear on a muscle, which left the tennis world holding their breaths due to concern that this was the same muscle that had the tennis legend sidelined. Fortunately, it is not in the same area as his previous long-term injury.
“I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in 3 months,” the veteran stated.
The 37-year-old was set to finally come back to grand slam tennis after an 11-month lay-off due to numerous injuries. But he went to social media and confirmed his withdrawal from the Australian Open.
“Hi all, during my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried. Once I got to Melbourne I have had the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news.
Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest”
Djokovic faces Prizmic en route to number 25
In other Australian Open 2024 news, Djokovic is primed and poised to add to his record number of Grand Slam titles, and he plans to start things strong in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic already made history when he won the U.S. Open final against Daniil Medvedev last year, garnering a total of 24 grand slam men’s singles titles, most in the history of the sport.
Unluckily for his adversaries, the 36-year-old Serbian looks like he still has a lot more in the tank and is primed for number 25 (and more). The World No. 1, who happens to be the defending Australian Open champion, starts his title defence against ranked-178 Croatian Dino Prizmic.
“I’m just hoping I can start the season in a way I’ve been starting most of my seasons throughout my career—with a win in Australia, in Melbourne. My favorite place, no doubt,” Djokovic exclaimed to the media.
The Australian Open 2024 odds favourite is expected to breeze past the young but talented Prizmic, but the Croatian fared well against fellow countryman Ajdukovic in a stellar 7-5, 6-0 second-round victory. So, SBOTOP tennis fans should expect some fight from the 18-year-old when he faces the mighty Djokovic.
Jannik Sinner also on the marquee
Djokovic’s rival, Jannik Sinner, dominates his opening match with a straight-sets win over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. The 22-year-old phenom beat 59th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 at Laver Arena.
“My first match of the season and it means a lot to start off with a win,” the Italian stated. “The tournament is one where I would like to play as good as possible and hopefully I can show some more in the next round.”
It was a hard-fought opening match for Sinner, but his superiority on the court flourished, ultimately securing his spot in the next round of the tournament, where he’ll face the feisty 23-year-old Dutchman Jasper De Jong.
A lot of fans, including myself, are hoping that Sinner will continue his strong form throughout the competition. If the striving Italian continues to make waves in the tournament, a Sinner-Djokovic semifinal might be in the works, and I’m pretty sure the majority of the tennis world would love to see those two rekindle their rivalry on the biggest stage of the sport.
Alcaraz hounding Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz has a shot at becoming World No. 1 when the smoke clears at the Australian Open. The 20-year-old Spaniard welcomes the thought of a finals match with the 24-time Grand Slam champion but will first have to face French veteran Richard Gasquet in the first round.
“It’s an extra motivation for me. I’m an ambitious guy. I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level,” the Spaniard said about a potential clash with Djokovic.
“Obviously it’s a good test, playing against him in the tournament where he’s almost unbeaten. I’m looking to reach the final and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great obviously.”
Djokovic had already won in Melbourne a record 10 times, and Alcaraz is keen on stopping the Serbian’s reign in Australia right here right now.
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