Disappointed with the loss but will not stop fighting: Rafael Nadal

Melbourne: Disheartened by his Australian Open defeat to American rival Mackenzie McDonald, Rafael Nadal has admitted that he has been mentally weakened by injuries but assures millions of fans around the world that he is fighting hard as he moves forward with his career. Will keep the trend going. World No. 2 Nadal was beaten 6-4, 6-4 and 7-5 by American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday, bringing a successful end to the ongoing tournament. Nadal appeared troubled by hip and leg injuries after the second set, but played the entire match despite this. However, with the defeat, he bid farewell to this prestigious tournament.

After the match, Nadal said, ‘I wanted to continue playing without increasing my injury. I wanted to finish the match. McKenzie displayed a high level of play. After a long time I was fighting for my chances but on the other side of the net, McKenzie was playing amazing tennis. I was not able to perform well against him and in the end I had to lose the match but I tried my best till the last moment of the match. The left hip of the winner of Australian Open in the year 2009 and 2022 has been troubling for some time. Because of which he is having trouble playing the shot. Apparently, as the pain mounted, the 22-time Grand Slam winner was beginning to contemplate retirement.

Congratulating McKenzie on the win, Nadal said, ‘I was not in favor of further increasing the injury and wanted to finish my match. Despite the defeat, my fans stood up and greeted me which was really encouraging. You can only try to give your best till the end which I did. That is the rule of the game. I have tried to follow it throughout my tennis career.

He said, ‘I like to play tennis. I know it’s not forever but you have to keep going. Sometimes defeat is disappointing. Sometimes it is difficult to accept. Sometimes you feel very tired about all these things in terms of injuries but it should not be taken to mean that I am complaining about my life.

Injuries are a part of the game but I have not given up. I’m trying to stay strong mentally.” The 36-year-old Spanish player said, “I hope that I will not have to stay out of the court for a long time due to injury. I have gone through this process many times in my career and I am ready to continue but it is not easy, there is no doubt about it.