Nadal will miss the 2026 Australian Open

We're not saying it, mind you, he is. With a smile and a touch of irony, that's how Rafael Nadal announced his latest surgery. Not even a year after retirement, Rafa is not spared from a few other surgical procedures: this time, the Spaniard was in Barcelona to undergo surgery for discomfort in his right arm that he had been carrying for quite some time, severe trapeziometacarpal joint arthrosis. Rafa stated that he hopes to be well very soon... and of course, we echo his wishes.

Looks like I won’t be able to play the @australianopen in January 😂

I had to undergo hand surgery for a problem I had been dealing with for a long time, but I hope to be well soon! 🤗

Looks like I won’t be able to play the @AustralianOpen 2026 😂

I… pic.twitter.com/XIizIdOtOl

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 12, 2025

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nadal se perderá el Open de Australia 2026