Connect with us

Sports

‘Mentally devastated’: Rafael Nadal withdraws from Australian Open due to injury

Published

on

‘mentally-devastated’:-rafael-nadal-withdraws-from-australian-open-due-to-injury

No. The No.1 seed Nadal suffered a left hip injury and lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of Wednesday’s tournament 6-4 6-4 7-5.

Rafa Nadal, the defending champion, was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open second-round on Wednesday, after aggravating his hip injury during a 6-4 6-4 7-5 loss to Mackenzie McDonald. This is the latest in a long line of injuries for the Spaniard at Melbourne Park.

The men’s draw has been thrown into disarray by the elimination of Nadal. Novak Djokovic, who is nine times champion, can now draw level with Nadal on 22 major titles if he wins a 10th title in Australia.

Nadal injured his left hip running for a backhand during the second set of the Rod Laver Arena match. After a trainer inspected him, Nadal went off court for a medical break.

He returned to the court grim-faced, but his movement, especially on his backhand, was clearly affected. McDonald ended the Spaniard’s bid for a 3rd Australian Open title.

Nadal admitted that his hip had been bothering him for a few days, but not to the extent it was during the match on Wednesday.

He told reporters, “I don’t really know what is going on. I don’t even know if (it’s) a muscle or a joint.”

“I have hip problems in the past.” I had to treat it in the past. It was not a problem of this magnitude. “I feel like I can’t move.”

Nadal had to retire from his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic in the fifth game of the 2018 Australian Open due to a hip injury.

McDonald, a hard-hitting American, had won the first set before Nadal’s collapse on Wednesday. He went toe-to toe with the 36 year-old Mallorcan, and won most of the baseline battles.

McDonald wiped out any demons that remained from their previous meeting in 2020, when Nadal thrashed him in straight sets at the French Open.

“He is an incredible champion. He will never give up, no matter what the situation. So even closing out a top man like that can be tough,” said McDonald.

“I was trying so hard to stay focused on what I did and he got me out of it with what he did.”

Feisty Spaniard returned, but it wasn’t enough

Nadal was greeted with a loud ovation when he returned to the court following his time out. He also received more cheers for holding serve.

His gloomy face told the story. He refused to retrieve a dropped shot in the next match, shaking his head and looking at his entourage.

McDonald won the second set after Nadal smashed a forehand in the net and thudded the racket against his chair when the ends changed.

McDonald sprinted forward to flick the passing shot past him.

Nadal made a desperate last stand to save the match, but it was not to be a repeat of his “Miracle of Melbourne” last year when he beat Daniil Medidev after coming back from 2-0 down in the classic final.

Nadal has suffered more than his fair share of heartache in the first Grand Slam of the year, even though the 2022 final is likely to be one of his finest moments.

In 2010, he had to withdraw from the quarter-final match against Andy Murray, despite trailing 6-3 7-6 3-1. This was due to a serious knee injury which kept him out for a whole month.

He was hampered by a back injury during the final of 2014 against Stan Wawrinka. He lost that match in four sets.

Nadal said that he had considered retiring from the match against McDonald but wanted to finish it as a defending champion.

Even though he said he had nothing to complain about, the latest injury still hurt.

“Sometimes, you feel super tired when it comes to all these injuries,” he said.

“I can’t lie and say that I’m not mentally destroyed at this time.”

Author

Continue Reading

Sports

Milan-Inter: Inzaghi has plenty of doubts about the lineup

Published

on

The double Derby is just around the corner. L’Inter is preparing to face Milan. Up for grabs is the pass to the Coppa Italia final. The Nerazzurri arrive at the double challenge with the Rossoneri with a rather crowded infirmary and with the obligation to manage their strength in view of the many commitments that await them.

Inzaghi, at the moment, has not yet decided who he will line up on Wednesday night in the Derby d’andata. So many doubts, especially in the offensive department. Lautaro Martinez, after the problem remedied with the Argentine national team, should not be in the match. The aim is to recover him for the challenge with Parma and have him, at 100 percent, against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The only one certain of a shirt in attack is Thuram. There will not be, alongside him, Taremi who has just been injured and will have to rest for about three weeks. Arnautovic appeared in great form against’Udinese but left the field battered.

Attention to the name of Correa. The Argentine has not been particularly exciting this season but, you know, the Derby is a match of its own, where anything can happen. In short, Inzaghi is called upon to make some not easy choices. Milan is not in great shape but, in the last three Derbies, they have won twice (with also a draw).

Author

Continue Reading

Sports

Olimpia Milano crisis: hope is to get Josh Nebo back

Published

on

L’Olimpia is experiencing a moment of deep crisis. After missing the train for the Euroleague postseason (only the math is missing to certify the’elimination), the red-and-whites have also missed the’chance to grab the league lead, losing on the court of Napoli.

A heavy defeat to digest, also because it came after missteps, in the Euroleague, with Real Madrid and Barcelona. Coach Messina pointed the finger at the players, hoping for a quick reaction in the upcoming games. Also, in the’environment, it is hoped to recover Nebo.

The center, who arrived in the summer, was supposed to be a pivotal man on the red-and-white roster and, instead, has remained mostly in the infirmary (right arm problem, absent, in fact, since December 2024).

In the postgame of the lost challenge with Napoli, Coach Messina took stock of Nebo’s recovery time: “He’s still doing everything without using his right arm. He shoots with his left, he runs and he could do the 800 at the Olympics, because he is in great shape. But unfortunately, his right arm cannot use it yet. The indications are positive, but until the specialist tells us that he can start working with contact… However, he is improving, we hope to have him for the playoffs”, his clear words.

Author

Continue Reading

Sports

10 million to play Club World Cup: Ibrahimovic thinks about it

Published

on

From June 14 to July 13, the United States will stage the long-awaited Club World Cup. A 32-team tournament with a stellar prize pool. Many of the best-known top players will be present, including Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Kane, Lautaro Martinez, Cavani, Haaland, Messi and, perhaps, Ibrahimovic.

The’Al-Hilal, in fact, would like to convince the Swede to shed, for a month, his managerial shoes and put on his shorts and boots again. Born in 1981, Ibrahimovic officially retired on June 4, 2023 in the match between Milan and Genoa.

Still in great shape, Ibrahimovic might even be able to get ready in time to be ready for the Club World Cup. To convince him, the Arab club would be willing to put a decidedly large sum on the table: $10 million. A pharaonic hire for a month-long event.

Ibrahimovic, should he accept Al-Hilal’s proposal, would also have to convince AC Milan, the club he is working for, to grant him the chance to “free himself” for the time needed to play in the Club World Cup. It should be remembered that Ibrahimovic is a real star in the United States, having played with the Los Angeles Galaxy jersey for two seasons (2018 and 2019). It would be a truly incredible comeback, perfectly in keeping with King Zlatan’s style.

Author

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 EuroTimes

Exit mobile version