• Rafael Nadal ruled out for up to eight weeks with hip injury.
• The player was knocked out of Australian Open in second round.
• Suffered his worst showing at a Grand Slam in seven years.

Rafael Nadal, who unexpectedly exited the Australian Open in the second round, announced on Thursday that he will be out for up to eight weeks due to a left hip flexor issue.

The second-ranked player in the world at age 36 tweeted that scans revealed a moderate muscle rupture. Surgery won’t be necessary.

It is the 22-time Grand Slam champion from Spain’s career’s most recent setback.

“I have carried out medical examinations following the defeat yesterday,” he said, adding that they showed “a grade-two lesion in the iliacus psoas of the left leg”.

“Normal recovery time 6 to 8 weeks,” he stated, adding that he will now relax and receive anti-inflammatory physiotherapy.

The predicted timeframe calls his participation in the ATP 1000 Indian Wells and Miami competitions in March into question, causing him to fall down the rankings.

Nadal will most likely aim to be ready for the clay-court season in mid-April, which will lead up to the French Open in May, where he will be attempting to win his 15th Roland Garros trophy.

The defending champion was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round on Wednesday by 65th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald, his poorest Grand Slam showing in seven years.

He sought a medical timeout in the second set after injuring himself while extending for a forehand and grimacing in pain.

Mery, his wife, was seen in tears in the stands at Rod Laver Arena.

He admitted subsequently that he was “psychologically shattered” and that, at his age, dealing with injuries and the recuperation process was becoming more difficult.

“I’m not sure what will happen in the future. But I need to avoid spending too much time away from the sport “He stated. “Because otherwise, it’ll be difficult.”

Despite his age and another injury, Nadal has made no indication that he plans to retire anytime soon.

“I assume when things move forward, the appropriate decisions will be made because all I want to do is play tennis,” he said on Wednesday in Melbourne.

“Don’t assume I’m saying all of this to take a step back.

“That is not the case, yet my current emotions are negative.”

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