By: Arya Thakkar Image credit: Google
22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal Parera is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals and has been No. 1 for 209 weeks.
Michael Mackenzie Lowe "Mackie" McDonald is a professional tennis player from the United States. In singles, he reached a career-high of No. 48 in the world last year.
Rafael Nadal and Mackenzie McDonald have met twice on the court. During their first clash at Roland Garros 2020, Nadal defeated McDonald in the second round with scores of 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in an hour and forty minutes.
McDonald alleged that Nadal kicked his butt. Rafa hit 31 winners and 15 unforced errors on Court Philippe-Chatrier, never facing a break point and snatching his opponent's service seven times out of eight chances.
"The last time I played against Rafa was at Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros, and he kicked my butt. It's hard to hit through him on clay", Mackie said.
However, Mackie avenged his loss and managed to defeat Nadal in a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 second-round victory in two hours and 32 minutes. Nadal picked up a mid-match hip injury and barely managed to react to McDonald’s last two serves.
"It was very tough to stay mentally engaged. I found a way to pull it out, and I'm thrilled. Rafa is a grand champion who never gives up, regardless of the situation.”
“It's hard to hit through him on clay, but I liked my chances on the hard court here in Melbourne. I got the opportunity and took the most from it," Mackie concluded.
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