Rafael Nadal was the top seed and the defending champion at the Australian Open. However, the Spaniard was far from winning another Major title after struggling with injuries for seven months. Rafa came to Melbourne without form and experienced another setback to drop 1955 points following the second-round loss.
Thus, a 22-time Major winner will leave the top-5 and become world no. 6 the following Monday. Nadal stayed in front of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune, the young guns who also failed to reach the quarter-final at Melbourne Park.
Rafa was a player to beat in the first half of 2022, claiming two Major titles and winning 20 matches in a row. However, he experienced an abdominal injury at Wimbledon and withdrew ahead of the semi-final. The veteran is yet to find his form again, playing only 13 encounters after the All England Club and scoring four victories!
Rafael Nadal will drop 1955 ATP points after the Australian Open.
Rafa passed the first obstacle at the Australian Open, but it was clear he needed more to go all the way. Nadal faced Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and fell 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena.
The Spaniard injured his left hip in the second set and found himself in a challenging position. Refusing to surrender, Nadal gave…
