Rafael Nadal's MRI shows hurt left hip flexor; recovery of 6-8 weeks

Rafael Nal injured his left hip flexor during his loss at Australian Open and could need about six to eight weeks to fully recover, his manr said Thursday.

22-time Grand Slam champion h an MRI exam at a hospital in Melbourne under his doctor's supervision on Thursday, a day after being injured during a straight-set exit against Mackenzie McDonald in second round at Melbourne Park.

Nal was defending champion and seeded . 1 in Australia.

36-year-old w will he home to Spain to rest.

Nal has lost seven of his past nine matches, dating to a fourth-round defeat at U.S. Open in September.