Rafa Nadal Has Surgery: Looks Like I Won’t Play AO
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, December 12, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Rafael Nadal is recovering—and showing his sense of humor—after undergoing surgery on his right hand.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion underwent surgery to remedy severe osteoarthritis in his right hand at the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona. Nadal is a natural right-hander who, of course, plays tennis left-handed.
The King of Clay posted an image of himself on Instagram with his right arm in a sling and showed his sense of humor was intact after surgery.
“Looks like I won’t be able to play the @AustralianOpen 2026,” Nadal posted with a laughing emoji. “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.”
Former world No. 1 Nadal is hopeful surgery will diminish the pain in his right hand and enable him to gain greater mobility. Nadal officially retired from tennis following his appearance representing Spain at the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8.
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