MELBOURNE—Defending champion Rafa Nadal crashed out of the Australian Open second round on Wednesday, Jan. 18, after aggravating a hip problem during his 6–4 6–4 7–5 defeat to Mackenzie McDonald, the Spaniard’s latest entry in an injury-blighted history at Melbourne Park.
Nadal’s elimination shakes up the men’s draw and puts a twist in the Grand Slam titles race, with nine-times champion Novak Djokovic able to draw level with the Spaniard’s 22 major championships should he take a 10th crown at Melbourne Park.
