After an injury, defending champion Rafael Nadal was eliminated from the Australian Open in the second round by American Mackenzie McDonald. Nadal’s departure on Wednesday alters up the men’s draw and the Grand Slam titles chase, with nine-time winner Novak Djokovic able to tie the Spaniard’s 22 majors with a 10th triumph at Melbourne Park. Nadal looked to hurt his left hip when racing for a backhand deep in the second set at Rod Laver Arena and underwent an off-court medical timeout when behind 6-4 5-3.
He reappeared, grim-faced, to play out the match, but his mobility was visibly impacted, particularly on his backhand side, allowing McDonald to end the Spaniard’s hope for a third Melbourne Park crown. Before the injury, McDonald had played well to win the first set, going toe-to-toe with the 36-year-old Spaniard and winning most of the fierce baseline exchanges. “He’s a fantastic champion, he’s never going to give up whatever of the scenario so even closing it out against a top man like him is always tough,” McDonald said. “He kind of drew me off of my attention with what he was doing. However, I focused on myself and survived. McDonald, who lost against Nadal in the second round of the 2020 French Open, stated, “He kicked my butt.” “It’s harder to hit through on clay but I loved my chances on hard, I really wanted to take it to him on hard court.” I’m delighted I had my opportunity and got away with it.” Nadal returned to the court to a standing ovation and received another after he held serve.
However, his melancholy countenance conveyed the story, and he refused to retrieve a drop-shot in the following game, shaking his head at his anxious entourage. McKenzie won the second set after Nadal sent a forehand into the net and slammed his racket into his chair at the change of ends. Nadal carried McDonald deep into the third set, but the American broke him at 6-5 by flicking a passing ball past him. Nadal stormed the net in a frantic last stand, but there was no repetition of the “Miracle of Melbourne” when he battled back from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in last year’s great final.
