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Rafa Nadal's selfless move for Australian Open hopefuls as $31,000 detail emerges

The Spaniard's decision to swiftly withdraw from the Australian Open may help a rival.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Rafa Nadal during a press conference and Nadal embraces Jordan Thompson.
Rafa Nadal's (pictured) swift withdrawal before the main card draw means a qualifier will move in and earn a $31,000 pay day. (Getty Images)

Tennis fans may be devastated Rafa Nadal has opted to fly home to Spain and miss the Australian Open after another hip injury, but his early withdrawal will see a qualifier benefit greatly from the move. Nadal left the tennis world in shock having announced his withdrawal from the first grand slam of the year after suffering an injury in his defeat to Jordan Thompson last week.

The macro tear in his troublesome hip prompted Nadal to withdraw from the Australian Open in the chance he can rest and be fit in time for Roland Garros in three months. And while the loss for Nadal could be giving up a farewell to his Australian fans at Melbourne Park, reporter Ben Rothenberg pointed out his early withdrawal does help a lower ranked rival.

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Nadal's swift withdrawal before the qualification process means a qualifier will automatically move into the main card draw. This means a $31,000 pay day for the player who may have missed out if they were unable to progress for qualifiers. "Minor footnote on the Nadal withdrawal: Good on him for withdrawing before Australian Open qualies start tomorrow," he wrote.

"Because of that promptness, a player ranked somewhere outside the top 200 will get a chance to play in the draw and earn at least the $31,250 a player gets for qualies." Unfortunately for Aussie tennis fans, this does mean Nadal might not return as a player having previously signalled 2024 could be the last of his glittering career.

While Nadal admitted it was a minor injury following the Brisbane International defeat, it appeared enough to leave the Spaniard doubting his participation in the first grand slam of the year. Many believe Nadal has his sights firmly set on Roland Garros, which could be the final tournament of his career.

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Eurosport Barbara Schett hinted Nadal probably had one eye on his farewell grand slam when making the tough decision to withdraw from the Australian Open. “We won't see him back here on the court at the Australian Open, but I do understand that he wants to make sure that his body is fit," Schett added from Australia through Eurosport.

“We know that he puts the emphasis on the clay-court season. He wants to play well there, he wants to be fit and healthy. He wants to compete in the Olympics as well, so he has to rest up."

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts as he leaves the court after his loss against Australia's Jordan Thompson at their men's singles match during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 5, 2024. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE-- (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Schett admitted Nadal may not appear in Australia as a player again, but it wasn't the last time we see him on the tour. “It's sad for us but he needs to do what he has to do, [but] one thing is for sure, we will see him again," Schett added. "Maybe not live here at the Australian Open, but hopefully at the French Open worst case scenario, we will see him on TV, on Eurosport, that's for sure."

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