Defending Champion Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Australian Open 2023 after he faced a defeat in the second round to World Number 65 Mackenzie McDonald. The Spaniard faced a defeat in straight sets 4-6, 4-6, 5-7. It is pertinent to note that Nadal was the top-seeded player for the first Grand Slam of the year.
The Spainiard was seen receiving some medical attention during the break which suggests that the 36-year-old might have even suffered what seemed to be a hip injury during the course of this defeat. A second-round exit implies this is Nadal’s worst Grand Slam result in seven years.
“I’m really happy with how I started that match,” McDonald said as quoted by ATP Tour in an official release. “I thought I was playing really well, serving great, returning well too. I was really taking it to him.”
“It was actually pretty tough to stay mentally engaged a little bit there, but I found a way to just pull it out, so I’m happy,” McDonald said.
“He’s (Nadal) an incredible champion. He’s never going to give up, regardless of the situation. Closing it out against a top guy like that is always tough,” he added.
“I was trying to stay so focussed on what I was doing, and he kind of got me out of the rhythm with that. I’m happy I just kept focussing on myself in the end and got through, I got it done.”
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