Rafael Nadal pulls up injured in 'very concerning' moment during match at Australian Open 2023

Updated 18/01/2023 at 09:16 GMT

It was an agonising moment as defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal pulled up injured in his second-round match at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Nadal suddenly stopped in his tracks behind the baseline as he felt a very clear and visible injury in his hip area, and it made everyone in the stadium wince. Nadal was very obviously stricken from the injury.

The 'very concerning' moment Nadal pulls up injured in second set

Rafael Nadal suddenly pulled up injured in what was a huge and very disappointing moment during his second-round match against American Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

From nowhere, the top seed and reigning champion halted his movement at the back of the court clutching his hip area in very clear and visible pain when trailing 6-4 5-3. He proceeded to look up at his box with real anguish and concern as it dawned on him what had happened. The world No. 65 came through to win the match in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 7-5.

It was a painful moment to even watch as Nadal limped around helplessly for a few games and then received prolonged medical treatment at the next changeover in a bid to continue playing - including taking on strong painkillers that took a while to have an effect.

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Nadal pulling up injured caused considerable alarm with the fans inside the Rod Laver Arena and also the millions watching on TV with the defending champion clearly stricken.

"Oh, he stopped running there," responded Eurosport commentator Pete Odgers. "Yes, this is very concerning!

"This looks to be almost a new injury - the hip. Of course, he has talked a lot about having injections for the foot.

"In the past, he has had an ab injury as well, which caused him to not be able to take to the court in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. These are very worrying times!"

Nadal limps out with hip injury as McDonald claims victory - Australian Open highlights

The injury continued the drama after Nadal accidentally hit a ball kid before apologising profusely, while he also left fans stunned with a long rant at umpire Marijana Veljovic who, he felt, did not allow him sufficient time to use his towel.

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.

Rafael Nadal - Australian Open 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

McDonald will play either Dalibor Svrcina or Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round.

“It was actually really tough to stay mentally engaged," McDonald said after the match. "But I found a way to pull it out so I’m happy.

“He’s an incredible champion. He’s never going to give up regardless of the situation, so even closing it out like a top guy like that is always tough.

“Last time I played him was on [Court Philippe] Chatrier [at the French Open] and he kicked my butt.

“On a clay court it is tough to hit through, but on hard [courts] I like my chances. I wanted to take it to him on the hard court, I’m thankful I got that opportunity and I got away with it.”