The defending champion, Rafael Nadal, bowed out of the Australian Open in the second round after injuring his left hip and losing to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, abruptly ending his bid for a record-extending 23rd grand slam trophy. An under-par Nadal lost the first set and was trailing in the second when he pulled up awkwardly at the end of a point at 3-4 against the 65th-ranked American. The top seed was visited by a trainer on the sideline, then left the court for a medical timeout. Although Nadal was determined to complete the match, it was clear that the great champion was physically compromised and his dreams of defending the title slipped away.