A gracious Rafael Nadal has refused guilty his shock loss to American Mackenzie McDonald all on damage because the legendary Spaniard’s Australian Open title defence got here to an abrupt finish.
Nadal grabbed at his left hip through the eighth sport of the second set of his second-round conflict, instantly going off court docket for medical consideration.
The 36-year-old resumed taking part in on Rod Laver Arena however was clearly in ache and struggling to run as world No.65 McDonald closed out the most important win of his profession 6-4 6-4 7-5.
Even earlier than the damage, Nadal was rattled by McDonald, who broke serve within the opening sport of the match and was confidently outplaying the defending champion.
“This word ‘if’ I don’t like a lot because ‘if’ in sport or in life in general don’t make a lot of sense,” Nadal stated.
“In the end, I am out of the tournament and he’s in the third round, so well done for him.
“He was taking part in at a terrific degree of tennis. Life continues for me.”
Nadal’s box, including wife Maria who wiped away tears, was left shattered by the injury as the 22-time major winner seemingly approaches the end of his glittering career.
After the loss, Nadal slowly walked off court and made extra time to acknowledge the crowd in what could be his final appearance at Melbourne Park.
Despite winning two majors last year, Nadal entered this tournament out of form, and has now lost seven of his past nine singles matches.
The hip problem marks the sixth time in his grand career that either injury or illness has cruelled a campaign at Melbourne Park.
He retired in the 2010 quarter-finals against Andy Murray with a knee injury and was badly hindered by a hamstring strain the following year in a last-eight loss to countryman David Ferrer.
Nadal withdrew from the Open in 2013 with a stomach virus and suffered a back injury in the warm-up before losing the 2014 final to Stan Wawrinka.
In 2018, the great Spaniard quit his quarter-final against Marin Cilic with a hip issue.
Despite his latest setback, which will be assessed further in coming days, Nadal was adamant on finishing the match rather than calling it quits.
“I take into account on a regular basis stopping, however I did not ask the physiotherapist on the finish,” he stated.
“I’m sufficiently old to make my very own choices.
“I didn’t want to retire, to be defending champion here.
“I did not need to go away the court docket with a retirement. Better like this on the finish. I misplaced.
“Just try your best until the end.”
Nadal final 12 months lastly gained a second Australian Open title, 13 years after his first, by coming from two units right down to defeat Russian Daniil Medvedev in a traditional decider.
The world No.2’s early exit is one other blow for Australian Open organisers, with the draw already ravaged by main withdrawals and retirements.
Women’s titleholder Ash Barty, seven-times champion Serena Williams, her sister Venus, twin winner Naomi Osaka, world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and the legendary Roger Federer are all lacking.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley was captured with a grim look on his face throughout Nadal’s medical timeout.
After lacking a lot of 2022 with damage, Nadal conceded he did not know what the long run held for him if the most recent proved critical.
“I accept it quite well during all my tennis career and I was able to manage it well,” he stated.
“But of course last seven months have been, again, another tough period of time.
“I do not know what can occur sooner or later however, yeah, I have to void once more a protracted time frame outdoors, as a result of if not, it is robust.
“If have been seven months playing almost nothing, and then if I have to spend long time again, then it’s super difficult in the end to be in rhythm and to be competitive and to be ready for the fight for the things that I really want to fight.
“Let’s see how the damage is, after which let’s have a look at how I can handle to comply with the calendar.”
