Rafael Nadal accidentally hits ball kid with powerful forehand at Australian Open - 'Are you okay?!'
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Updated 18/01/2023 at 09:17 GMT
Getting struck by a very powerful Rafael Nadal forehand is certainly not what you want as a ball kid at the Australian Open. The top seed and reigning champion absolutely lashed a forehand right into the chest of a boy, who was standing close to the net during the Spaniard's second-round match with Mackenzie McDonald. Nadal was quick to apologise and check that he was okay.
'Are you okay?!' - Nadal accidentally hits ball kid with vicious forehand
Rafael Nadal was quick to say sorry after he accidentally struck a ball kid with a vicious forehand during his Australian Open second-round match against American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday.
After a big serve and subsequent return from McDonald, Nadal lashed a forehand straight into the chest of a poor boy, who was standing close to the net and bore the brunt of the blow.
Fortunately, he seemed okay and smiled to let everyone know he was not in too much pain as the crowd winced watching the replays on the big screens.
Nadal held up his hand apologetically and swiftly said: "Are you okay?!"
It was a nasty blow for the kid, but Nadal was as classy as ever to stop and check on his wellbeing before proceeding to continue with his service game.
Impressively, the ball kid not only took the blow but then immediately ran after a ball to continue his job as if nothing had happened.
"Nadal was just making sure that the ball boy was okay," said Eurosport commentator Pete Odgers.
"You have to say, he took it very well, didn't he? He got hit, and went straight after the ball."
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'You don't take the towel!' - Nadal fumes at umpire over his towel
The incident followed more drama on Rod Laver Arena after Nadal was incensed as he felt that umpire Marijana Veljovic was starting the timer too early before each of his serves as he desperately attempted to use his towel to wipe away sweat.
"Every match, at least I can move for the towel," Nadal ranted at Veljovic. "With you, I cannot.
"Every time I am in a rush, even when serving normal, without the towel, I see the clock ... five, four, with you it's always the same. It's okay.
"For you, it doesn't matter, I cannot take the towel each time, the towel is there [gestures] at the back of the court.
"You don't know, you try to understand, but you don't take the towel."
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'It is very sad' - Nadal injury reaction from Henman and Wilander at Australian Open
McDonald made a blistering start to the match as he broke the Spaniard in two successive return games to establish a commanding lead in the opening set before also taking the second as Nadal clearly struggled even before sustaining his latest injury.
After he returned to the court and played out the second set, the 36-year-old continued and fought on valiantly, but ultimately was not fit enough to force a fourth set. The world No. 65 came through to win the match in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 7-5.
McDonald will play either Dalibor Svrcina or Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round.
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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk
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