“I Can’t Say that I’m not Destroyed Mentally”

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during Round 2 of the 2023 Australian Open

Rafael Nadal from Spain during Round 2 at the 2023 Australian Open

Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Was removed from the Australian Open On Wednesday, he lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. This ended his attempts at extending his Grand Slam trophy record-breaking 23rd time.

The defending champion and No. 1 seed said, “It’s tough moment, it is a difficult day, and you have to accept that and continue on.” The 36-year-old No. 1 seed said in a press conference After the Open’s second round match. “Just can’t say I’m not completely destroyed mentally this time. That would be lying!”

His exit came along with an injury In the eighth game, Nadal suffered a nearly 90-minute loss in the match’s final minute. New York Times. Nadal, crouching down in pain and being examined by a physician before returning to the court. Nadal returned to the court, but was limping and unable to move. His pain seemed to be coming from his right hip.

McDonald’s defeated him 6-4,6-4, 7-5.

Nadal stated that he doesn’t know the cause of his match. “I have a history with the hip. “I had to go through treatments in the past. Let me address it a bit. It wasn’t this much of a problem. Now, I feel like I can’t move.”

The athlete said that he hoped his injury would not endanger his career. He said that he enjoys playing tennis. “I know it won’t last forever. I enjoy being competitive. I enjoy fighting for the things I have been fighting for most of my life, if not more.

He’s expected to make a return to the French Open this Spring. The tournament he won 14 times is a remarkable achievement. He became the oldest winner of the tournament last year, having won it in 2005 when he was just 19 years old.

RELATED: Rafael Nadal Tells Fans He’s ‘All Good’ After Injuring Nose with His Racket During Second Round US Open Win

Rafael Nadal of Spain dejected Australian Open, Day Three

Rafael Nadal from Spain has been dejected at the Australian Open, Day Three

Ella Ling/Shutterstock

Although Nadal has suffered a few injuries in the past he is still a strong competitor. not even a bloody nose could stop him from advancing to the next round at the US Open In September 2022.

Before you can compete in the US Open Nadal struggled with an abdominal tear that kept him To face Nick Kyrgios during the Wimbledon semi-finals on July 20,22. “It’s clear that if we keep going, the injury is inevitable. [is] He said that it would get worse and worse.”

He was also out for six weeks with a rib fracture, which occurred ahead of last May’s French Open. In March 2022, he relayed to fans: “I have always had this fighting spirit, and what I will do after recovering is to be patient and hard working.”

RELATED: Rafael Nadal Withdraws from Wimbledon Semifinals After Suffering an Abdominal Injury

Spanish Rafael Nadal pictured at a men's singles second round game between Spanish Nadal (ATP 2) and US Mc Donald (ATP 63) at the 'Australian Open'

Spanish Rafael Nadal pictured at a singles men’s second round match between Spanish Nadal and US Mc Donald at the Australian Open’

PATRICK HAMILTON/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

Nadal was in better health last January and won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title The Australian Open. In February 2022, the athlete won another Acapulco title and his winning streak was extended to 20 matches. He lost in the Indian Wells final.

He has also noted that age can limit your ability to play tennis for another decade. Until that moment, Nadal — whose wife Mery Perelló gave birth to their first child, son Rafael Nadal Perelló, in October — is going to continue to do everything he can to stay in it.

On Wednesday, he said that sacrifices make sense when you love doing one thing. “Sacrifices always make sense.

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As for McDonald, the 65th-ranked American player praised Nadal’s tenacity on the court, calling it a “‘never over until it’s over’ type thing.”

“He didn’t want to quit and roll over. McDonald’s 27, said that McDonald fought to the end, even though McDonald may not have had all his game.

He was only in the locker room afterward that McDonald’s win on Wednesday hit him. “I was like, ‘Hey! That’s really huge for me. Because I haven’t beaten someone that good.’ “

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