Rafael Nadal's hopes for the current season have been dashed as he recently underwent surgery on a hip muscle, forcing him to be out of action for an estimated five months, according to his representative on Saturday.
The 14-time French Open champion and winner of 22 Grand Slam titles has been sidelined since January when he injured his hip flexor during his second-round match at the Australian Open.
Nadal's representative, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, stated, "Rafa will begin his progressive functional rehabilitation in a few hours, and the normal recovery process is estimated at five months, always taking into account respecting the biological times of said structure."
The 37-year-old Spaniard previously indicated that 2024 is likely to be his final year as a professional player.
Initially expected to miss up to eight weeks, Nadal decided to skip clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome to focus on regaining his fitness after being ruled out of events at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona this season.
In March, Nadal slipped out of the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time since 2005 and is currently ranked 15th. This setback further hampers his chances of reclaiming his position among the top-ranked players.
With his season effectively cut short, Nadal faces a challenging road to recovery as he undergoes rehabilitation for his hip injury. Fans and tennis enthusiasts will eagerly await his return to the court, hoping to witness more of his unparalleled skills and determination in the future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
