Rafael Nadal expects to return to action as scheduled in Acapulco next month after a scan revealed a tear to his inner right hip muscle.
The world number one suffered the injury during his quarter-final clash with Marin Cilic at the Australian Open on Tuesday and was forced to withdraw two games into the final set.
Nadal looked thoroughly disconsolate but the good news is the injury is not serious and it is anticipated he will be able to return to the court in two weeks, with the ATP Tour event in Acapulco beginning on February 26.
Rafael Nadal had to pull out of his Australian Open quarter-final after suffering a hip injury (Dita Alangkara/AP)
A statement from Nadal’s publicist read: “Rafa Nadal conducted an MRI test earlier this morning at a hospital in Melbourne. The MRI showed a grade one injury of his Illiopsoas on his right leg.
“He will be resting the next days once back in Spain and will start with anti-inflammatory physiotherapy. He will start his rehabilitation and pre-adaptation process to the tennis court in two weeks, starting progressively his training and practice.
“Three weeks is the normal time to totally recover and he will resume his tennis schedule as planed playing Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami.”
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