Rafa Nadal underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on Friday to revise a lesion in his left psoas. The operation, performed in Barcelona, comes after a long period of absence from competition following his withdrawal from the Australian Open in January. The medical team confirmed that the surgery was intended to address a persistent issue that had sidelined the Spaniard for weeks and kept him out of several events since then.
The doctors who led the procedure in Barcelona were Marc Philippon, Jaume Vilaró, and Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro. They planned to present the results and provide a fuller update on Nadal’s condition on Saturday, when the 37-year-old would mark another birthday moment in his career.
Throughout 2023, Nadal managed only a handful of matches. He appeared for the United Cup, where he faced defeats against Cameron Norrie of England and Alex de Minaur of Australia. His campaign continued at the Australian Open, where he won against Jack Draper but fell to Mackenzie McDonald in a tougher second-round clash.
Subsequently, Nadal disclosed that the underlying issue was a psoas injury and indicated that he had not returned to competition since mid-January despite continuing to train on the track for extended periods. The injury sidelined him from the United States swing, including Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, and disrupted a red-drawn schedule that encompassed races in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome.
The most painful moment in this stretch was Nadal’s decision to withdraw from a tournament he has dominated for years. On May 18, he announced that the injury would prevent him from competing at Roland Garros, a event he has won fourteen times, set to take place in Paris through early June. His remark about the process suggested a cautious approach: the aim was no longer to rush back into competition, but to prioritize a sustained recovery over a few months as he assessed the best path forward for his future in the sport.
During a recent update at his training base, Nadal reflected that the Australian setback did not unfold as hoped. He admitted losing momentum along the way and acknowledged that Roland Garros could not be approached with the immediacy once imagined. The statement underscored the challenge of balancing competitive goals with long-term health, and it hinted at a thoughtful, measured return strategy rather than a rapid comeback.
In the broader calendar landscape, Nadal’s absence has created a notable void for fans and organizers alike. This week, a group of Grand Slam winners visited the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in the Halkidiki peninsula’s Sani resort, in Greece, as part of a broader tour aimed at promoting the sport and Nadal’s coaching initiatives. Nadal indicated a temporary pause in competition was essential, with plans to resume training and competition in 2024 when conditions allow, and with a focus on staying fit and competitive in the right intervals for a successful return.