WATCH: Rafael Nadal bids goodbye to the crowd with a smile after suffering a hard-fought loss at Brisbane International

Rafael Nadal bids adieu to the crowd in Brisbane after a hard-fought battle.

WATCH: Rafael Nadal bids goodbye to the crowd with a smile after suffering a hard-fought loss at Brisbane International

Rafael Nadal (Via X)

A teary-eyed Rafael Nadal left the Pat Rafter Arena after a hard-fought match. Despite the loss, the Spaniard walked off with his hand held high and his lips curled into his typical smile as he waved at the amazing crowd that cheered for him throughout the match.

What started to be an easy win for the Spaniard turned out to be one of the toughest matches he had to face after his comeback. Two match points from victory, Nadal saw the game snatched away from his hands by Jordan Thompson, who staged a comeback from a set deficit to win the game. 

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Nadal, who had poured his heart into the court, every forehand across the court, and every stride to save the point, was a testament to his love for the sport and undying spirit. 

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However, he did lose the match and handled the loss as well as the victory. Acknowledging the crowd that stayed so late in the night to watch him play, the 37-year-old walked out of the court. 

The result was not in his favor, but Nadal still managed to wave the crowd goodbye with a wide smile on his face and even signed a few autographs on the way out.

Rafael Nadal’s injury concerns may see him out of the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal’s journey at the Brisbane International may have been a bittersweet one, but he gave it his all after coming back from the abyss of injury. As he previously mentioned, his comeback is not to win any tournaments but to give his career a proper goodbye. This is not the end for the Spaniard, as he aims to return at the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Sky Sports)

However, posing a hindrance to his return are the signs of pain in his body during the match. 

The problem is in a similar place to last year, but it is not the same. If it had been the same, I would have felt it immediately. Last year it was the tendon and I feel this more at a muscular level. Now Myself, my muscle is very fatigued. I have to see how I get up tomorrow, but I hope to be training next week in Melbourne. The problem is that it is in a similar area and that makes you worry a little more than normal.
Said Nadal to the Brisbane Press.

Nadal admitted to the Brisbane Press that he is hoping to feel better over the next few days and wait on the results of the scan, which will decide his place at the Australian Open. 

Fans were left concerned when Nadal took a medical timeout during the game, and they continued to remain in that state until Nadal gave them a green light. With the Australian Open as his next target, Nadal’s fate in the tournament depends on the results of the test.

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