Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is out of the 2023 Australian Open after the Spanish star lost in straight sets to American Mackenzie McDonald. Photo: AFP

BREAKING: Rafael Nadal crashes out of Australian Open

Rafael Nadal is out of the 2023 Australian Open after the Spanish star lost in straight sets to American Mackenzie McDonald.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is out of the 2023 Australian Open after the Spanish star lost in straight sets to American Mackenzie McDonald. Photo: AFP

Defending champion Rafael Nadal is out of the 2023 Australian Open after the Spanish star lost in straight sets to 65th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald.

The Spanish 36-year-old, who was struggling with what appeared to be a hip injury, slumped 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena.

It was Nadal’s worst Grand Slam result in seven years.

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The defeat will further raise questions of the time Nadal has left in the sport which has seen him win a record 22 Grand Slam titles.

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