Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal reflects on his Australian Open injury and loss to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the year's first Grand Slam.

“I think during the match every time I was a little bit closer and was understanding better the things that I had to do to overcome the situation. “I was not able to hit the backhand at all. I was not able to run for the ball. “But I don't know 'til I do the test and all this stuff, I don't know. That's the philosophy of the sport. “I have history in the hip that I had issues. “That's the sport at the same time. “I considered all the time stopping, but I didn't ask the physiotherapist at the end. I had to do treatments in the past, address a little. It's all the amount of work that you need to put together to come back at a decent level.” So I really hope that [this] doesn't put me out of the court for a long time, because then it's tough to make all the recovery again. From there, the match was the American’s for the taking, and take it McDonald did by a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 margin.

Nadal appeared to be hampered by an injury he picked up in the game's second set.

Djokovic, who has won a record nine Australian Open titles, was unable to defend his crown last year after being dramatically deported from Australia over his Covid vaccination status. When you do things that you like to do, at the end of the day, it's not a sacrifice.” That is the total number of singles Grand Slam titles that Rafael Nadal has won in his career, more than any other player in men’s tennis history. His last two titles came at 2022’s Australian and French Opens. I like to fight for the things that I have been fighting for almost half of my life or even more. Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Australian Open Wednesday, following a second-round defeat after he appeared to pick up an injury in the middle of the game, ending his pursuit for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title.

The Spanish star, suffering from an injury, was beaten in the second round by American Mackenzie McDonald.

I’m really glad I got my chance and got away with it.” But I kind of just kept focusing on myself and got through. “I was trying to stay so focused on what I was doing and he kind of got me out of that with what he was doing.

Rafael Nadal admitted he felt “mentally destroyed” after the defence of his Australian Open title ended in injury and defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) “I didn’t want to retire being defending champion here. Asked why he did not retire, Nadal said: “I was not able to hit the backhand at all. In the end it has been three positive weeks in terms of practice. I just can’t say that I am not destroyed mentally at this time, because I will be lying. Sometimes it’s frustrating. It was not the right moment to have something like this now. “In the end, I can’t complain about my life at all. “I tried until the end. I had to do treatments in the past, address it a little (but there) was not this amount of problem. I don’t know if in good conditions I will win the match, I will have better chances without a doubt. He said: “It has been a couple of days like this, but nothing like today in that movement.

Californian Mackenzie McDonald, ranked 65th in the world outpowered the 22-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal to clinch a shock straight-set victory, ...

it's a huge disrespect to the opponents if every time you complain of injury in every lost,' one fan wrote. it's a huge disrespect to the opponents if every time you complain of injury in every lost,' one fan wrote (pictured) Having decided to carry on there were discussions between the player and his box, with anxious looks all round. There was no immediate public diagnosis but the problem area looked to be around his lower left ab and hip. Nadal struggled with injury throughout, appearing to injure his left hip during the second set (pictured, a medic attends to the tennis star during the men's singles match on day three of the Australian Open in Melbourne) he should just retire if everything hurts.

A year after the 'Miracle in Melbourne', Rafael Nadal will be catching an early flight home following a second round exit at the Australian Open - and for ...

To be struck down by another injury was hugely disappointing for Nadal, who added: "In terms of sports and in terms of injuries and tough moments, that's another one. I don't know if in good conditions I will win the match, I will have better chances without a doubt. Nadal was running out wide to hit a forehand when he appeared to jar his left hip, immediately touching the area and dropping to his haunches. Nadal’s exit spoke volumes as he walked into the middle of the court and was given a standing ovation by the capacity crowd inside Rod Laver Arena. Post-match Nadal revealed he had come into the match with an issue in his hip that then became significantly worse. The Spaniard succumbed to a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 defeat against USA's Mackenzie McDonald - his earliest exit at Melbourne Park since an opening round loss in 2016.

The top seed was already in trouble at a set and a break down to unseeded McDonald when he crouched down in obvious pain clutching his left hip after ...

Asked why he did not retire, Nadal said: 'I was not able to hit the backhand at all. But I just wanted to finish the match. It was not the right moment to have something like this now. In the end it has been three positive weeks in terms of practice. I don't know if in good conditions I will win the match, I will have better chances without a doubt. 'I have history in the hip.

Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Rafael Nadal has lost 11 matches and seven of those have come against players from North America.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) Shapovalov also got a walkover win at the Paris Masters in 2019. [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) [Universal Tennis serve up realistic ratings system – with Novak Djokovic top](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/universal-tennis-rankings-djokovic/) [beat the Spaniard 7-6 (7-3), 6-1](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/nadal-no1-taylor-fritz-atpfinals/) at the ATP Finals in Turin. [securing a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 victor](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/alarming-moment-rafael-nadal-paris/)y. [he won 6-3, 6-4](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/felix-auger-aliassime-topples-rafael-nadal-in-turin-to-dent-no-1-hopes/) during the group phase of the season-ending tournament in Turin, Italy. [a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/frances-tiafoe-stuns-rafael-nadal-us-open-tears/) for his first-career win over his esteemed colleague. [going down 3–6, 6–7 (5–7)](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/nadal-no1-taylor-fritz-atpfinals/). [he suffered a 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 defeat](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/denis-shapovalov-huge-fan-injured-rafael-nadal-french-open/) at the hands of Canadian Shapovalov.

Rafael Nadal's hip troubled him as the defending Australian Open champion suffered a shock defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open.

16 [Frances Tiafoe](https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2708). [Stefanos Tsitsipas](https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2869), No. 6 [Felix Auger-Aliassime](https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3209), No. 15 [Jannik Sinner](https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3623) and No. He squatted behind the baseline and placed his racket down on the court. 2, but Nadal was the top seed at Melbourne Park because No. Something to tell his grandkids one day, and you have to be happy for that guy.'' McDonald has never been past the fourth round at a major tournament. He kept fighting until basically the end, even though he maybe didn't have all his game,'' said McDonald, a 27-year-old American who won NCAA championships in singles and doubles for UCLA in 2016. He said the hip had been bothering him for a couple of days but that it was never as bad as it became on Wednesday. Nadal returned to play but was physically compromised and not his usual indefatigable self, saying afterward he could not hit his backhand properly and could not run much, either. Up in the stands, his wife wiped away tears.

Rafael Nadals defence of his Australian Open title ends in injury and defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round; Nadal takes medical timeout ...

Asked why he did not retire, Nadal said: "I was not able to hit the backhand at all. But I kind of just kept focusing on myself and got through. I had to do treatments in the past, address it a little [but there] was not this amount of problem. I don't know if in good conditions I will win the match, I will have better chances without a doubt. In the end it has been three positive weeks in terms of practice. He said: "It has been a couple of days like this, but nothing like today in that movement.

In the eagerly anticipated women's singles clash between Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu, the American triumphed over the Brit in straight sets, though she had to ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) How do you recover from that?! [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) “How did she not remember that? I need to work on that a bit!” I just told myself at least you didn’t face plant on the floor, I was trying to keep things in perspective.

Rafael Nadal lost to unseeded American Mackie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion injured his hip after ...

It's the amount of work that you need to put together to come back at a decent level. "I really hope that [the injury doesn't] put me out of the court for a long time, because then it's tough to make all of the recovery again," Nadal said after Wednesday's loss. "You can't imagine — I don't need to talk and explain the feelings," Nadal said of his disappointment. After cutting his 2021 season short due to a lingering left foot injury, Nadal rebounded brilliantly to open 2022 with back-to-back Grand Slam victories — at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. "Can't say that I am not destroyed mentally at this time, because I would be lying," he added. Worse, still, for Nadal and his supporters: The 36-year-old suffered a left hip injury while trailing during the second set.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a hip injury during the second round upset.

[a rough losing streak](https://www.si.com/tennis/2022/11/16/tennis-mailbag-nadal-female-coaches-fort-worth) at the moment, dropping seven of his last nine matches. “Mackenzie played at a great level and I wish him the best for the rest of the tournament. Many thanks to all for the support and the great moments you make me live here. Sad for leaving soon this great tournament and very thankful once again to all, fans, organizers, amazing crowds…” Nadal appeared hurt in the second set as he was visited by a trainer and then used a medical timeout. Since then, he’s won eight Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal leaves the court after losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the Australian Open. MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/AFP via Getty Images. CNN ...

“He’s going to be the first one to bring it up and I think he deserves that. You are doing the things that you want to do.” “I don’t think we need to speculate constantly about when that’s going to be. When he feels right, it’s going to be right. “When you like do one thing, at the end, sacrifices always make sense, because the ‘sacrifice’ word is not like this. Ultimately, it’s up to him. “I like playing tennis and I know it’s not forever. This new injury is the latest in a long list that have hampered Nadal throughout his career. “It’s very simple: I like what I do,” Nadal told reporters, per ESPN. “Here we are again, six months later, and he’s dealing with another issue in that same area. That’s the sport at the same time – just try your best until the end.” “It’s better like this at the end.

Stubbs made her prediction after watching the 22-time grand slam champion get a standing ovation as he left the court after his straight-sets loss to ...

It's all the amount of work that you need to put together to come back at a decent level. And that was not my case. The good news? This time last year, he reeled off 21 straight match wins to begin 2022. 'It's not only the recovery. I think his swan song will be at RG.

Rafael Nadal updated his fans by revealing the results of an MRI following an injury he suffered in the second round of the Australian Open.

He also competed in the [United Cup](https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/archive/brisbane-perth-sydney/9900/2023/results) to begin his season. At 3-4 in the second set against McDonald, the Spaniard chased a forehand wide and aggravated an injury that he admitted he had felt for a couple of days. "The MRI shows a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in my left leg.

The Spaniard was a set and break down during his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open when he crouched down in pain ...

The setback is a huge blow for Nadal, who already trying to make a comeback from an abdominal injury that affected him in the second half of 2022. In his post-match press conference he confirmed the pain was in his hip, but he was unsure of the extent of the injury. The MRI shows a grade 2 lesion in the Iliacus Psoas of his left leg.

Rafael Nadal underwent a scan in Melbourne on Thursday morning that showed a grade two tear of his iliopsoas muscle, sustained during his second-round exit ...

Let's see how the A six-to-eight-week recuperation would allow Nadal to return well before the clay court season and the run-up to the defence of his French Open title in late May and early June, although would make him a doubt for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells at the start of March. An update from Nadal's team said he would return to Spain for a period of rest and treatment, with the normal recovery time for the injury from six to eight weeks.

Rafael Nadal is expected to be sidelined for between six and eight weeks with the injury he suffered at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) Let’s see how the injury is, and then let’s see how I can manage to follow the calendar.” Sad for leaving soon this great tournament and very thankful once again to all, fans, organizers, amazing crowds… Many thanks to all for the support and the great moments you make me live here. After his exit, he wrote on Instagram: “Not the result I wanted, would have loved to continue my run here, but today it wasn’t possible. [he could announce his retirement after this year’s French Open](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/rafael-nadals-future-australian-open-retirement-french-open/). [Rafael Nadal and the North American curse: From Taylor Fritz to Felix Auger-Aliassime and Mackenzie McDonald](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/rafael-nadal-and-the-north-american-curse-from-taylor-fritz-to-felix-auger-aliassime-and-mackenzie-mcdonald/) [defeat to American Mackenzie McDonald](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/rafael-nadal-rages-umpire-wife-mery-crying-limps-defeat-mackenzie-mcdonald/) on Rod Laver Arena.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rafael Nadal bowed his head during changeovers and rested his elbows on his knees, the very picture of resignation.

He squatted behind the baseline and placed his racket down on the court. 2 but was the top seed at Melbourne Park because No. That also made Verdasco the lowest-ranked player to defeat Nadal in Australia — until, of course, McDonald on Wednesday. Something to tell his grandkids one day, and you have to be happy for that guy.” McDonald has never been past the fourth round at a major tournament. Nadal was not sure exactly what the nature of the injury was, saying that he will have medical tests to determine if it has to do with a muscle, joint or cartilage. 7 Daniil Medvedev — the runner-up to Nadal last year and to Novak Djokovic in 2021 — No. “I know a lot of people were looking forward to that matchup,” said Gauff, an 18-year-old American. He kept fighting until basically the end, even though he maybe didn’t have all his game,” said McDonald, a 27-year-old who won NCAA championships in singles and doubles for UCLA in 2016. This is Nadal’s earliest exit at any Grand Slam tournament since bowing out in the first round in Melbourne in 2016 against No. Nadal returned to play, but was clearly compromised and not his usual indefatigable self, saying afterward that he could not hit his backhand properly and could not run much, either. Up in the stands, his wife wiped away tears.