Barcelona : Rafael Nadal, who officially retired from professional tennis in November 2024, shared a light-hearted update after undergoing surgery on his right hand, joking that he “won’t be able to play the Australian Open.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed that the procedure was carried out to address a long-standing issue at the base of his thumb, a problem he had been managing for some time. Posting a photograph with his arm bandaged and in a sling, Nadal used humour to inform fans about his recovery.
“Looks like I won’t be able to play the Australian Open 2026,” Nadal wrote, making it clear through his tone that the comment was made in jest, given that he has already stepped away from competitive tennis.
The surgery was performed in Barcelona and was aimed at easing pain and improving mobility rather than treating a recent injury. Despite being retired, Nadal continues to remain closely associated with the sport, regularly drawing attention whenever he shares updates related to tennis.
The post quickly resonated with fans, serving as another reminder of Nadal’s enduring connection with the game and his ability to engage the tennis world even after the end of his illustrious playing career.
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