Mackenzie McDonald dumps Rafael Nadal in Round 2 of the title defense at the 2023 Australian Open
Rafael Nadal's title defense at the 2023 Australian Open ends in the second round as he gets beaten in straight-sets to Mackenzie McDonald.
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Rafael Nadal and Mackenzie McDonald
Mackenzie McDonald, well that’s not the name of the junk burger you probably order online. On Wednesday, McD was the flavor at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday as the American had Rafael Nadal for a meal in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open men’s singles defeating him 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
How do you describe a match where the defending champions crashes out so bizarrely. Was it injury, was it humidity or was it sheer bad luck. Well, a combination of factors for sure as McDonald, age 27, showed he was going to come up with the big stuff indoors as rain once again ruined the schedule of play in Melbourne.
At the showpiece stage, where Rafa was supposed to be the favorite, on paper and on form, he was facing all kinds of issues. At one stage in the second set, he was in immense pain. For a man who has battled injuries galore in his life, 2023 was also wretched. At 36, the body has undergone all kinds of injuries. From a foot injury last year to a rib and then abdominal muscle tear, Rafa’s medical bulletin resembles a man ravaged in a war.
Well, he has been warring, on tennis courts, against many opponents for almost two decades in his journey where he was won 22 Grand Slam titles. You can laugh at him and ridicule him but that does not rob the sheen from his performances. Yes, he bombed at the Box Office, where he had many in tears, including his wife at one stage. Even coach Carlos Moya was looking stressed out.
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In between, there were problems for Rafa, as he was being hauled up for delays as his sweaty towel was the centre of attraction, nay distraction. Indoors, the weather is lousy when the roof is rolled over. It’s not like as if the air-con is switched on. You have to grind out points. With a physical game which Rafa has played all his life using, using his upper body and lower body to produce the power and punch has been a pattern.
He has had to make adjustment in his serve, but his hip seemed to be the trouble area. The trainer was out and he seemed to be getting attention. These days, Rafa resembles an old car needing frequent visits to the garage to be in running shape. The best part is, he refuses to give up. Even in 2022, when he had so many issues, he went on win two Majors, at the AO and his pet clay event at the French Open.
Sadly, at the AO in 2023, Nadal lost in straight sets in Round 2. How do you describe the guy whose name sounds like junk food? Well, McDonald was no tossed burger one gets to see. He was a man in rich form, on a hot streak. The way he churned out tennis was as tasty as the burgers, just that the man he used as an ingredient for it was Rafael Nadal.
It’s going to take time for this win to sink in, as McDonald would not have dreamt he was going to grab such a big bite. This is sport, where you win some and lose some. Oh, yes, if you want proof of Rafa’s longevity, he faced Robbie Ginepri, McDonald’s current coach in 2005.
It may be tempting to write off Rafa. He had many in tears, though his critics may be celebrating as well. The number of times he has come back from situations like this are many. What 2023 has in store for him will unfold in coming months. A big salute to Big Mac. He just got bigger today, and is now in Round 3.
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