"Not going out without a fight" - Tennis fans praise Rafael Nadal for playing through injury during Australian Open 2023 defeat

Rafael Nadal’s injury in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open had tennis fans worried as he pulled through to finish the match despite the struggles. The Spaniard, who has had a poor run of form in his recent tournaments, was the defending champion at the tournament.While many had predicted that Nadal was highly unlikely to move past a threatening first-round opponent in the young and rising British star Jack Draper, the 36-year-old pulled off a hard-earned victory in true “Rafa” fashion.Following the four-setter (7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1) test against Draper, the two-time Australian Open champion was up against America’s Mackenzie McDonald. Although the top seed was the hot favorite against the World No. 65, the Spaniard was off to a slow start, conceding the opening set to the American, 6-4.Meanwhile, the second set proved to be a roller coaster. McDonald started with a break, which the Mallorcan soon matched. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old American managed to clinch yet another break to gain an important 4-3 lead in the second set, which he backed up by holding his service game 5-3.However, at this point, the 22-time Grand Slam champion seemed to pick up an injury and was in visible distress. A medical timeout was called out, but the Spaniard returned to action soon after, and although he held on to his service game, he was unable to turn the second set in his favor, losing it 4-6.While tennis fans were dejected to see the legend play through the pain, they were appreciative of his dedication and fight.&quot;Respect! Nadal played it out even though he was carrying an injury.&quot;Gini@giniekayRespect! Nadal played it out even though he was carrying an injury.2Respect! Nadal played it out even though he was carrying an injury.Another fan wondered how many injuries his body could sustain.&quot;Poor man. How many injuries his body can take ???&quot;Deepak Kalyanaraman@GOAT_Nadal@nadalnews Poor man. How many injuries his body can take ???1@nadalnews Poor man. How many injuries his body can take ???Here are a few more reactions from fans:Lana Angel Nadal@RafasgirlalwaysThe fact Rafa is still serving at 65% &amp; winning 77% with a hip injury is nothing short of miraculous.The fact Rafa is still serving at 65% &amp; winning 77% with a hip injury is nothing short of miraculous.Bill Blakeney@wablakeneySad to see the great Nadal reduced by injury. But he's still fighting hard!! 1Sad to see the great Nadal reduced by injury. But he's still fighting hard!! 🎾Agahzi Giorgis@RadioAgazAmazing job by Nadal to even be competitive in this 3rd set. Injury seems to be getting worse at 5-5 in the 3rd set. #AustralianOpen1Amazing job by Nadal to even be competitive in this 3rd set. Injury seems to be getting worse at 5-5 in the 3rd set. #AustralianOpenphysicstweets - USA SUPERFAN@physicstweets1crazy to think Nadal would have 30 majors without the injuries2crazy to think Nadal would have 30 majors without the injuriesasmit@GunhaonKaDevtaWhere is God when Nadal is facing so many injuries...i mean the amount of injuries is just beyond ridiculous manJust one year where he is injury free is all we want.#AusOpen #Nadal6Where is God when Nadal is facing so many injuries...i mean the amount of injuries is just beyond ridiculous manJust one year where he is injury free is all we want.#AusOpen #NadalOwen@tennisnationWould very much like Nadal to not repeat the mistake he made of playing through injury against Fritz at Wimbledon. But I don’t think he’s going to retire.442Would very much like Nadal to not repeat the mistake he made of playing through injury against Fritz at Wimbledon. But I don’t think he’s going to retire.Ukasha 🇵🇰🇦🇪@ukasha_10Nadal not quitting, that's what I love about this guyDespite the pain hes inHes still playingMy 62Nadal not quitting, that's what I love about this guyDespite the pain hes inHes still playingMy 🐐Brodders 17@brodders17Nadal’s refusal to ever concede defeat until the final point is lost explains why he hasn’t shaved his head. #AusOpen141Nadal’s refusal to ever concede defeat until the final point is lost explains why he hasn’t shaved his head. #AusOpenmeriadthebest@meriadthebest@RafaelNadal always a fighter, never giving up. That’s why the world looks up to this man. Vamos Rafa! #AustralianOpen5@RafaelNadal always a fighter, never giving up. That’s why the world looks up to this man. Vamos Rafa! #AustralianOpenStephanie Mickus@smickableOn behalf of 36 year olds everywhere I would just like to say SHAME ON YOU REF YOU RUSHED NADAL’S SERVES AND HE DIDN’T GET TO DO ALL HIS OCD THINGS AND NOW HIS HIP HURTS LEAVE 36-45 YOs ALONE31On behalf of 36 year olds everywhere I would just like to say SHAME ON YOU REF YOU RUSHED NADAL’S SERVES AND HE DIDN’T GET TO DO ALL HIS OCD THINGS AND NOW HIS HIP HURTS LEAVE 36-45 YOs ALONENick McCarvel@NickMcCarvelThis is tough to watch. Rafael Nadal is such a warrior... can he sort his body somehow here to present a fight?#AusOpen364This is tough to watch. Rafael Nadal is such a warrior... can he sort his body somehow here to present a fight?#AusOpenAndrés Mora@andresf1984@josemorgado Nadal’s body is screaming for him to stop, it doesn’t know what else to do861@josemorgado Nadal’s body is screaming for him to stop, it doesn’t know what else to doOwen@tennisnationGutted for Nadal, but hopefully the memories from last year soften the blow a bit. Also, would love to see less glorification of playing through injury. Playing through fatigue sets a great example, playing through injury does not.384Gutted for Nadal, but hopefully the memories from last year soften the blow a bit. Also, would love to see less glorification of playing through injury. Playing through fatigue sets a great example, playing through injury does not.Daniel@Dantheman_93_This is really depressing watching Nadal hardly being about to move on the court after that injury. Still trying to play through and just hitting shots he’s able to that he doesn’t have to move much for, but this sucks. Hope he’s not doing any further damage to the injury.This is really depressing watching Nadal hardly being about to move on the court after that injury. Still trying to play through and just hitting shots he’s able to that he doesn’t have to move much for, but this sucks. Hope he’s not doing any further damage to the injury.Rafael Nadal out of top- 5 in ATP rankings after Australian Open 2023 lossRafael Nadal waves goodbye following defeat at 2023 Australian OpenAustralian Open defending champion Rafael Nadal is out of the tournament after losing his second-round encounter to American Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.With his loss, the 22-time Slam winner, who hasn’t left the top-10 of the ATP rankings since his debut in 2005, has dropped out of the top-5 live rankings and is currently placed at World No. 6. He could drop further as players like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune are still in contention for the title in Melbourne.

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