Rafael Nadal waves to the Australian Open crowd on the left, and gestures during a press conference on the right.
Rafael Nadal admits he is ‘destroyed mentally’ after a hip injury in the second round of the Australian Open culminated in a straight sets loss. Pictures: Getty Images
Rafael Nadal says he didn’t want to retire from the Australian Open after suffering a hip injury mid-way through his second-round loss, because of his status as reigning champion. In scenes that left Rod Laver Arena practically silent at times, a hobbled Nadal was upset by American McKenzie McDonald in straight sets.
A deflated Nadal said it had been ‘impossible’ for him to mount an unlikely comeback after calling for a medical timeout in the second set. Despite bravely seeing the match out, the reigning champion was sent packing 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 by the World No.65.
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Speaking to reporters after the match, Nadal indicated his short-term future was uncertain, but admitted it had been a ‘difficult’ period over the last seven months, dating back to his injury-hit run at Wimbledon. Nadal said he had been feeling good leading into the grand slam, but conceded he’s considered retiring after feeling his hip go on him.
It was a sensational effort from the 36-year-old to manage to keep the third set largely on serve, with both players giving up a break. It seemed for all money however, that all McDonald would have to do was survive long enough in the third set – and his eventual break to go up 6-5 proved the ultimate turning point.
“He played some good tennis, I wasn’t playing that well and at some point… that was the end. It’s the hip,” Nadal said in his post-match press conference. “I still don’t know what’s the problem. I have history with the hip, I still have to check what happened.
“It’s difficult to say what’s the exact problem at the moment. Tired to talk about injuries. I understand, but I lost and I tried to fight until the end.
Nadal had been determined to see the game through, and hinted that his career now would largely depend on how the injury responded to treatment. The Spaniard looked towards his players box in disbelief after pulling up in the second set, prompting a tearful reaction from his wife Xisca