Rafael Nadal sidelined for 6-8 weeks with hip flexor injury

Nadal's title defence ended bitterly on Wednesday as he slumped to a 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat by Mackenzie McDonald, the latest chapter in a long history of fitness problems at Melbourne Park.The 36-year-old had an MRI scan on his left leg in Melbourne on Thursday, which revealed a grade 2 injury in the Illiopsoas, the primary hip flexor."He will be resting the next days once back in Spain and will start with anti-inflammatory physiotherapy," his team said in a statement.

1/20Rafael Nadal's injury woes at Australian OpenShow Captions<p>Defending champion Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Australian Open in round two to 65th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald in a major upset on Wednesday.<br /></p>This is Nadal's worst Grand Slam result in seven years.<br /><br />The Spanish 36-year-old, who was struggling with what appeared to be a hip injury, slumped to a 4-6, 4-6, 5-7 defeat at Rod Laver Arena.<br /><br />Defeat opens the door for arch-rival Novak Djokovic to draw equal with Nadal's record 22 Slam wins.<br /><br />Top seed Nadal was never settled and slumped a set behind before taking a medical timeout when a break down in the second set.<br /><br />Nadal hurt himself stretching for a forehand and grimaced in pain.<br /><br />Nadal battled on but was in clear discomfort with his movement hampered.<br /><br />Nadal's wife Mery was seen in the crowd in tears.<br /><br />The last time Nadal fell so early at a Grand Slam was at the Australian Open in 2016, when he departed in the first round.<br /><br />This is not the first time the 22-time Grand Slam champion has suffered a debilitating injury during a match at Melbourne Park.<br /><br />In 2010, Nadal was forced to withdraw from his quarter-final against Andy Murray while.