Rafael Nadal cracked the top-10 in April 2005 at 18, winning the ATP 500 event in Barcelona a day earlier and securing a place in the elite group. Rafa has never left the top-10 since, forging one of the most outstanding records in tennis history and embracing over 900 consecutive top-10 weeks! However, the 36-year-old Spaniard will most likely drop out from the top-10 for the first time in 18 years in March, having to defend 600 points for the last year’s Indian Wells final. Rafa is ranked 7th in the live ATP rankings after dropping 500 points from Acapulco. With 600 points less on his tally, he will leave the top-10 after Indian Wells and terminate his incredible streak. Nadal injured his left hip in Melbourne, losing almost 2000 points and sealing his top-10 faith. The Spaniard withdrew from Doha and Dubai and is still away from the practice court ahead of the season’s first Masters 1000 event.
Rafa will decide about Indian Wells after embracing more tests, although it’s unlikely he can fight for the title in the desert after so many issues since last July. A 22-time Major winner has played only 13 matches after Wimbledon, scoring five wins and eight losses! Rafa experienced an early US Open loss and dropped four consecutive encounters for the first time since 2009! Things did not improve at the United Cup at the start of the new season, with Nadal losing both matches from a set up. Rafa came to Melbourne without any form, struggling with an injury for months and experiencing another at Rod Laver Arena against McDonald.
Rafael Nadal will have less than 3000 points after Indian Wells.
The American beat the Spaniard in straight sets and delivered Rafa’s earliest loss at Majors since 2016. The American produced five breaks from eight opportunities and lost serve twice to emerge at the top. He made a flying start and broke the defending champion in the opener’s games one and five for 4-1 in under 20 minutes. Nadal reduced the deficit with a break in game six, and McDonald fended off a break point at 5-4 to bring the set home. The second set saw back-to-back breaks in the early stage, and Rafa got broken again at 3-3.
The American landed an ace in the eighth game to confirm the advantage, and the Spaniard asked for a medical timeout on his left hip. Rafa left the court to receive the treatment and held in game nine to prolong the set despite an apparent struggle. McDonald brought the set home after Nadal’s forehand error at 5-4 and moved closer to the finish line. Rafa continued and gave his best in the third set despite struggling to run or hit a backhand. He fired an ace on a break point at 4-4 and held to stay in contention. Mackenzie leveled the score at 5-5 and placed a backhand down the line winner in the next one to grab a decisive break. The American landed a service winner in game 12 to seal the deal and dethrone the Spaniard.