BARCELONA (AP) — Rafael Nadal underwent surgery to treat pain and gain mobility in his right hand, the retired tennis star reported.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who plays left-handed, said in a post on X on Friday that he had been dealing with the problem “for a long time.”
Nadal accompanied the social media post with a photo of himself with his right arm bandaged and in a sling. He also joked that “I don’t think I’ll be able to play” in the Australian Open, the first major next month.
The surgery was aimed at “relieving pain and restoring mobility” to the joint at the base of his right thumb, according to a separate statement from Nadal’s representative. The operation was performed in a private health clinic in Barcelona.
Nadal, 39, retired from tennis in November 2024, giving up on prolonging his successful career after playing with several injuries.
He said in May, at a ceremony to celebrate his record 14 French Open titles in Paris, that he had not touched a racket in the six months since his last professional match, a loss to Spain in the Davis Cup 13 months ago.
Last month, a video circulated of him sparring with Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala at Nadal’s academy on his home island of Mallorca.
