French Open 2023: Rafael Nadal undergoes hip surgery

On Friday night, Rafael Nadal underwent arthroscopic surgery to address an injury in his left hip flexor, which unfortunately led to his absence from the French Open. This marked the first time he was unable to participate in the tournament since his inaugural victory, securing the first of his remarkable 14 titles there in 2005.

According to Benito Perez-Barbadillo, the spokesperson for Rafael Nadal, the treatment for Nadal’s injury involved the involvement of three doctors, and it was being carried out in Barcelona. Perez-Barbadillo mentioned that he intended to provide further information about the surgery on Saturday, coinciding with Nadal’s 37th birthday.

Following a second-round defeat at the Australian Open in January, Rafael Nadal sustained a hip injury, which has kept him sidelined from competitive play.

Rafael Nadal, a remarkable 14-time champion at the French Open, had participated in Roland Garros without fail every year since his debut and victory in Paris in 2005. However, acknowledging the circumstances, the Spaniard conceded that it was impossible for him to attain the required readiness for the tournament, which is set to commence on May 22.

Although Rafael Nadal has announced that 2024 will be his last season, he has also expressed his intention to participate in all the significant competitions that hold special meaning for him, including the Olympics. Nadal further stated that he needed to take a break from his professional career in order to allow his body to regenerate and recover.

The individual who has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles declined to set a specific timeframe for retiring from their career. However, they expressed a desire to make a comeback before the conclusion of the 2023 season and take part in the Davis Cup. Additionally, they mentioned their aspiration to be involved in the 2024 tour.

Following his exclusion from competitions in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona earlier this season, he chose to forgo clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome to prioritize his well-being and recovery.

In March, Nadal experienced a significant decline in the world rankings, falling outside the top ten for the first time since 2005. Currently, he holds the 15th position in the rankings.