Rafael Nadal Undergoes Hand Surgery for Osteoarthritis

Rafael Nadal, the retired Spanish tennis legend and 22-time Grand Slam champion, underwent surgery on his right hand Thursday at the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona to address severe osteoarthritis in the trapeziometacarpal joint at the base of his thumb.

The 39-year-old, who plays tennis left-handed but is naturally right-handed, shared the news Friday on social media with a photo of his bandaged arm in a sling. In a lighthearted post, he wrote, "Looks like I won't be able to play the Australian Open 2026," adding a laughing emoji. He continued, "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."

According to a statement from Nadal's representative, the procedure was an arthroplasty, a type of joint replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Alex Lluch under the supervision of Nadal's physician, Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, and Dr. Vilaró. The operation aimed to relieve chronic pain and restore mobility to the affected joint, which Nadal had managed for an extended period.

Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024 following Spain's Davis Cup quarterfinal loss in Málaga, ending a career marked by persistent...