The suffering and the injury will have overcome the legend.
Rafael Nadal, defending champion but victim of hip pain, was eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open by American Mackenzie McDonald (65th) 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, Wednesday in Melbourne.
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In the second set, after a run, the 36-year-old Spaniard suddenly winced as he held his left hip.
The world No.2 refused to give up, but it had become almost impossible for him to move and he only held on as best he could until defeat.
A farewell to the Australian Open?
The legend Nadal didn't give up, but his body betrayed him again.
It remains to be seen whether he played at 36 his 18th and last Australian Open.
At the next McDonald's will face the winner of the match between the Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina and the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka.
Rafael Nadal MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP
