Tennis
Injured Nadal knocked out 2nd round─── MORGAN PIEK 13:04 Wed, 18 Jan 2023
The 2023 Australian Open witnessed the first major upset of the Grand Slam with the defending champions, Rafael Nadal, being knocked out in the second round.
The Spanish superstar and 22-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in a straight-sets defeat to Mackenzie Mcdonald.
The 27-year-old American served 14 aces as he sent the top-seeded Nadal crashing out with a 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5 win.
Nadal started battling with a hip injury during the second set. While his pain was visible the 36-year-old soldiered on.
“I tried to keep playing without increasing the damage. But I just wanted to finish the match,” said Nadal.
“Mackenzie was playing at a great level of tennis. A long time I was there, fighting, having my chances, but he was doing well.
“I was not doing that well. I'm tired of talking about my injuries. I lost the match. That's it. I tried till the end.”
Meanwhile, in the women's singles the 7th seeded Coco Gauff knocked Emma Raducanu out with a 6-3 and 7-6 win.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
