BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal has undergone surgery to treat pain and gain mobility in his right hand, the retired tennis great said on Friday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who plays left-handed, said in an X post that he had been dealing with the issue "for a long time.”

Nadal accompanied the social media post with a photo of himself with his right arm bandaged and in a sling. He also quipped that he “won’t be able to play the Australian Open,” the first major of next year.

The surgery was “aimed at relieving pain and restoring mobility” of the joint at the base of his right thumb, according to a separate statement from Nadal’s representative. The operation was performed at a private health clinic in Barcelona.

The 39-year-old Nadal retired from tennis in November 2024, f

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