- Spaniard was assessed by trainer for upper left leg issue
- Rehabilitation from hip injury to be tested at Australian Open
Rafael Nadal missed three match points and needed a medical time-out on Friday before losing to Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals of his tournament comeback following a year-long injury layoff.
The 22-time major winner failed to convert a match point in the 10th game of the second set and two more in the tie-breaker before No 55-ranked Thompson rallied to win 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 at the Brisbane International. With the Australian Open starting on 14 January, Nadal’s rehabilitation from the hip injury and surgery that sidelined him for most of 2023 will be tested.