Estoril Site
April 16, 2024

Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from his Estoril Open quarterfinal against Irakli Labadze with an ankle injury. The 17-year-old first felt the pain during his first round victory over Goran Ivanisevic at the Estadio Nacional on Wednesday and needed further treatment following his three-set win against Richard Gasquet on Thursday.

Nadal underwent x-rays at the CUF Hospital in Lisbon on Friday morning, and the results revealed a small fracture in his left ankle.

"This morning I had an electromagnetic scan and some x-rays to see what I had in my left ankle and it seems to be a small fracture," said the Spaniard. "I had some ice and all the treatments that I could do but still I was in a lot of pain."

He added: "I'm very sad because this is a beautiful tournament. I was in the quarterfinals and wanted to continue, but these things happen. Now I'm going to Barcelona in order to find out exactly what I have in my left ankle. I still don't know if I have to reschedule my calendar. I really hope not."

[Ed Note: It was very serious; he was diagnosed with a stress facture, and likely will not return until Wimbledon.]