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MELBOURNE: Defending champ and top seed Rafael Nadal knocked out in the Australian Open 2nd round after defeat against America’s Mackenzie McDonald. The Spaniard got injured in the 2nd set (when already a set and break down) but never gave up as he struggled to keep going.
An incredible moment for Mackenzie McDonald, completing a straight sets win over Rafael Nadal! 🙌🇺🇸
🖥️ #AusOpen LIVE | https://t.co/80XjQpwd6J#9WWOS #Tennis pic.twitter.com/r3jUd5sqCU
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 18, 2023
The 65th-ranked American outpowered the 22-time Grand Slam winner to clinch a straight-set victory, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
Nadal looked downcast and left the court for treatment as Rod Laver Arena fell silent.
He won the first game after the resumption but shook his head to his significant entourage, staring at the floor at several changeovers thereafter.
The 36-year-old brought several family members, including his newborn son, to Melbourne and refused to retire against McDonald in what could prove to be his farewell to the grand slam.
He battled on but was broken in the 11th game of the third set as McDonald sealed his 6-4 6-4 7-5 victory.
Earlier, Nadal struggled for most of the match and even took a medical timeout in the second set when he was trailing 5-3 to McDonald. He pulled up lame after stretching on a wide ball.
Taking a medical timeout after McDonald held for 5-3, with Nada’s players box visibly emotional as the 21-time grand slam champion spent time off the court.
Nadal offered a warm 360-degree applause to the Rod Laver Arena crowd before limping off to the locker room, leaving centre court uncertain if he will return to the grand slam he won twice from six finals.
Commentators suggested the possibility that it was Nadal’s farewell was the only reason he stayed on court after losing the second set.
