Reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal bowed out of the tournament prematurely on Wednesday as he lost 4-6 4-6 5-7 against American Mackenzie McDonald in the second round due to injury.

The 36-year-old Nadal struggled with a left hip injury throughout the match and needed treatment during the second set on Rod Laver Arena.

He managed to finish the match, eventually going down to McDonald in two hours and 32 minutes for his earliest exit from a grand slam since the 2016 Australian Open.

“I didn’t want to retire [as] the defending champion here. I didn’t want to leave the court with a retirement,” Nadal told reporters.

Always a pleasure, @RafaelNadal ?#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/CdnOMzYDK0

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2023

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