Defending Champion Rafael Nadal Knocked Out by Mackenzie McDonald

Defending champion and high seed Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Australian Open in spherical two to 65th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald in a serious upset Wednesday, his worst Grand Slam lead to seven years.

The Spanish 36-year-old, who was battling what seemed to be a hip harm, slumped 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 beneath a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal’s elimination shakes up the boys’s draw and places a twist within the Grand Slam titles race, with nine-times champion Novak Djokovic ready to attract degree with the Spaniard’s 22 main championships ought to he take a 10th crown at Melbourne Park.

Nadal appeared to undergo a pressure in his left hip space whereas working for a backhand deep within the second set at Rod Laver Arena and after receiving consideration from a coach he took an off-court medical time-out when trailing 6-Four 5-3.

Top seed Nadal by no means settled, slumping a set behind earlier than taking a medical timeout when a break down within the second set after hurting himself stretching for a forehand and grimacing in ache.

He battled on however was in clear discomfort along with his motion hampered.

His spouse Mery was seen within the crowd in tears.

“It was fairly robust to remain mentally engaged however I discovered a solution to simply pull it out,” said McDonald.

“He’s an incredible champion, he’s never going to give up regardless of the situation. I was trying to stay focused on what I was trying to do and he kind of got me out of my rhythm, and I just got through it.”

The final time Nadal fell so early at a Grand Slam was on the Australian Open in 2016, when he departed within the first spherical.

The pair had met as soon as earlier than, additionally within the second spherical of a Grand Slam. On that event, on the 2020 French Open, Nadal dropped simply 4 video games in a cushty victory.

This time McDonald was all the time in management with Nadal instantly on the again foot, damaged on his first service sport, with the American bursting out to a 4-1 lead.

Nadal complained to the umpire that he was being rushed on his serve, earlier than clawing a break again. He earned one other break level at 4-5 to degree it up, however the American held on and clinched the set.

Nadal left the courtroom on the changeover, but it surely didn’t assist, along with his serve once more failing to fireside, damaged early as soon as extra as McDonald continued to dominate.

The Spaniard was on shaky territory, however as he has executed so many occasions earlier than, he discovered a solution to claw again and degree the set at 2-2.

But the errors started to creep in once more and he was damaged once more earlier than hurting himself at 15-30 within the eighth sport, which he misplaced earlier than gingerly strolling again to his seat.

The physio was known as and he might be heard saying “hip” in Spanish earlier than leaving the courtroom for a medical timeout with spouse Mery in tears within the gamers’ field.

He returned and gamely carried on but was a shadow of his former self.

Nadal created history on the same court last year with his five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in the final.

It saw him claim ownership of the record for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles on 21, ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer.

He added a 22nd at Roland Garros, while Djokovic won Wimbledon to move onto 21.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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