An injury-affected Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open, ending the top seed’s title defence.
Down a set and a break against American Mackenzie McDonald, Nadal pulled up lame after stretching on a wide ball.
He immediately took a medical timeout after McDonald held for 5-3, with Nadal’s players box visibly emotional as the 21-time grand slam champion spent time off the court.
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Nadal’s wife Maria was seen tearing up in Nadal’s players box as he came off the court.
He returned to the court and picked up his racquet to the applause of the Rod Laver Arena crowd, looking ready to try and play on.
His serve speed was noticeably down but the Spaniard held for 3-5, forcing McDonald to serve out the set.
McDonald did so, with Nadal then making his way to sit down and looked set to continue playing.
Still, the 21-time grand slam champion could barely change direction during rallies.
Nadal’s injury appeared to affect the mentality of McDonald, whose serve and groundstroke speed declined significantly.
It allowed Nadal to continue holding his serve despite looking well and truly laboured.
Despite his best efforts, Nadal found himself facing break points serving at 5-all, managing to save just one before McKenzie broke for 6-5.
He served out the set and with it the match, sealing the biggest win of his life.
As the crowd stood to cheer Nadal off, the two-time Australian Open champion took in the atmosphere as he came from the arena, with some wondering if it was the last time he would feature at the event.
“You never know what to read into moments like that,” Jim Courier said on Channel Nine.
“You can obviously imagine he will be back, also imagine that he won’t be back.
“This might be the last time here. Let’s hope it’s not. But if it is he certainly left a big mark.”
