Defending Champion Rafael Nadal Crashes Out Of Australian Open After 2nd Round Loss To American Mackenzie McDonald

Topline

Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Australian Open on Wednesday following a second-round defeat after he appeared to pick up an injury in the middle of the game, ending his pursuit for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his second round loss to Mackenzie McDonald of the U.S. at the … [+] Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.

Key Facts

American Mackenzie McDonald, ranked 65th in the world, pulled off the upset by beating the clearly hindered Spanish superstar in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

While the nature of Nadal’s exact injury remains unclear, the Spaniard appeared to pull up and started limping sometime during the later part of the second set.

After being examined by his trainer, Nadal took a medical timeout but eventually returned to the court to finish the game.

The injury, however, appeared to be clearly hindering Nadal’s movement and preventing him from playing his trademark physical style.

The injury continues a miserable injury-plagued run for the World No. 2 which began with an abdominal muscle tear at last year’s Wimbledon.

Nadal’s second-round loss comes after a labored 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory against Briton Jack Draper in the first-round match which took three and a half hours.

Surprising Fact

Wednesday’s loss marks Nadal’s earliest exit from a Major since his first-round loss at the 2016 Australian Open to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Crucial Quote

Speaking to the press after his loss Nadal said: “It’s a very simple thing: I like what I do. I like playing tennis. I know it’s not forever…I like to feel myself competitive. I like to fight for the things that I have been fighting for almost half of my life or even more. When you do things that you like to do, at the end of the day, it’s not a sacrifice.”

Big Number

22. That is the total number of singles Grand Slam titles that Rafael Nadal has won in his career, more than any other player in men’s tennis history. His last two titles came at 2022’s Australian and French Opens.

What To Watch For

Novak Djokovic, Nadal’s main rival, began his Australian Open with a dominant first-round win against Roberto Carballés Baena and is set to play his second-round game on Thursday. Djokovic, who has won a record nine Australian Open titles, was unable to defend his crown last year after being dramatically deported from Australia due to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19. With Nadal’s exit Djokovic is now one of the favorites to win the tournament a feat which will allow him to equal Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles ahead of the French Open—which the Spaniard has won a record 14 times.