ATP Tour
Nadal announces hand surgery, shows great sense of humour
Nadal to return to Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF next week
December 12, 2025
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal was honoured at Roland Garros earlier this year.
By ATP Staff
Rafael Nadal announced Friday that he recently underwent hand surgery.
The retired legend’s good sense of humour was on full display when he joked that he won’t be able to play the Australian Open next month.
“Looks like I won’t be able to play the @AustralianOpen 2026 😂,” Nadal wrote. “I had to undergo hand surgery because of an issue I’d been dealing with for a long time, but I hope to be fine soon 🤗”
Me parece que no podré jugar el @australianopen en enero 😂
He tenido que someterme a una intervención en la mano por un problema que venía arrastrando desde hace mucho tiempo, ¡pero espero estar bien pronto! 🤗
Looks like I won’t be able to play the @AustralianOpen 2026 😂
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 12, 2025
The Spaniard, who retired last year, will not be far from the tennis court despite his surgery. Nadal will return to Jeddah for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which takes place from 17-21 December.
