The Latest Breaking News on Philippoussis backs de Minaur for Australian Open run

The 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a hip injury during the second round upset.

Rafael Nadal is the ultimate in tennis battlers - but even for the dethroned Australian Open champ, it won't be easy at 36 to rebound from yet another injury.

The top seed suffered a hip problem during the second set of his 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat.

The tennis great lost 6-4 6-4 7-5 to American Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie McDonald enjoyed the biggest win of his career on Wednesday at the Australian Open with a straight sets defeat of the top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Despite struggling to run or even hit a backhand due to a hip injury, Rafael Nadal says he was determined to finish his second-round match against Mackenzie McDonald.

The top seed suffered a hip problem during the second set of his 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat.

MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal’s Australian Open title defence lays in ruins on Wednesday after an injury-plagued defeat that shook up the men’s draw, even as rain wreaked further scheduling havoc at Melbourne Park on day three.

A clearly hurting Rafael Nadal lost his second-round match at the Australian Open to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 on Wednesday, abruptly ending his title defense and bid for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam trophy. It was not immediately clear what was bothering the 35-year-old Spaniard, but he pulled up…