Australian Open: Rafael Nadal makes a stunning early exit as more rain falls in Melbourne
- Defending champion hobbles out of second round at hands of unheralded American Mackenzie McDonald in a major upset on Wednesday
- Nadal says the defeat ‘hurt’ and acknowledged that injuries are taking a toll – ‘I am tired, I am sad, I am disappointed, this is all a reality’
Defending champion Rafael Nadal hobbled out of the second round in a major upset at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The Spanish great’s wife Mery was in tears as Nadal was beaten by 65th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald at Rod Laver Arena, where the roof was closed because of more rain in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old Nadal was clearly hindered by a hip issue that required a medical timeout, as he surrendered 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to the American.
It was the reigning champion’s earliest exit from a major in seven years and will lead to more questions about whether injury and age are catching up with the record 22-time major champion.
The men’s title now looks Novak Djokovic’s to lose.
Nadal said the defeat “hurt” and acknowledged that injuries were taking a toll.
