‘Not an exit he deserves, painful!’ - Twitter anguished as Rafael Nadal suffers shock 2nd round exit in Australian Open 2023

The 111th edition of the Australian Open is going on as the tournament kicked off on 16 January 2023. However, Rafael Nadal came to this tournament as the defending champion and the top-seeded player. So, fans were hoping to see this veteran and legendary Tennis player in top form in order to defend his title. 

On 16 January, he kicked off his journey in this competition. Nadal defeated a 21-year-old debutante Jack Draper 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. The match took place in the Rod Laver Arena. However, it was a nervy start to his title defense as he lost the second set in that clash. After the match, Nadal though claimed that it was a very positive start. 

Fans were in shock after the shocking second-round defeat of Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open 2023   

During his on-court interview, Rafael Nadal said: "Last year was without a doubt one of the most emotional tournaments of my tennis career. I’m super happy to be back here in Australia one more time. I know it’s my 19th season on the professional Tour. I’m very excited about this new beginning, just super happy to be back here in Rod Laver Arena with a victory that I needed. The last couple of months haven’t been easy for me, but hopefully, this victory is going to help me."

He also added: “If we put in the perspective of all that I went through in the past six months, a very positive start," the Spaniard added. "I played against one of the toughest opponents possible in the first round, being seeded. He is young, he has the power and I think he has a great future in front . We are going to see him playing a lot of years here, having very good results.”

In the second round, Nadal took on Mackenzie McDonald as he was coming off after a 7-6(5), 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-7(10), 6-4 win against countryman Brandon Nakashima. But, fans become stunned as McDonald defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets 4-6, 4-6, 5-7 after the Spaniard struggled with an injury in the game. So, fans were in shock and it might be the last time when Rafael Nadal played the Australian Open.

Here is how fans have reacted to the shocking defeat of Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open 2023:

In the end, he was lucky as he avoided being embarrassed by Novak.

— Canadian 💯 (@BajagicBoris) January 18, 2023

Let’s not forget that Mackie was up a set and a break when Nadal pulled up. He was in control of the match. Would have loved to see a fit Nadal see out that match though. #AustralianOpen #Nadal #McDonald

— Andy Tupman (@andytupman) January 18, 2023

Nadal 😪

— 𝓳𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓪 🤎 (@jadisaaartist) January 18, 2023

So very sorry to see @RafaelNadal end his @AustralianOpen campaign with injury! 😥You will be back playing again soon champion! 👍👏👏👏👍#AustralianOpen

— #TOS❤#AussieTrekkie #OutbackQLD #TrekYourOwnWay 🖖 (@LittleAussie_Me) January 18, 2023

Bye bye Nadal 👋

— $donatus ☦️🇷🇸 (@TheRealDonatus) January 18, 2023

Oft goodbye Nadal 👋👋👋

— Susan MacDonald 🧡🖤 (@SusanM1984) January 18, 2023

Unreal, it really is a new era, the big 3 will forever be the greatest tho #AustralianOpen #Nadal https://t.co/B1wrzlNy9u

— Parlay Prez (@GGmafia_hideout) January 18, 2023

Nadal 💔

— Demix (@Demista11) January 18, 2023