Nadal Sidelined for 6–8 Weeks With Hip Flexor Injury

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his second round match against Mackenzie Mcdonald of the United States in Australian Open, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2023. Loren Elliott/Reuters

MELBOURNE—World number two Rafa Nadal will be sidelined for six to eight weeks by the hip flexor injury he suffered during his second-round loss at the Australian Open, the Spaniard’s team said on Thursday.

Nadal’s title defense ended bitterly on Wednesday as he slumped to a 6–4 6–4 7–5 defeat by Mackenzie McDonald, the latest chapter in a long history of fitness problems at Melbourne Park.