Rafael Nadal failed to defend his title won a year ago at the Australian Open, with the Iberian losing in the second round to Mackenzie Macdonald. During the match at the Rod Laver Arena, the former ATP leader had a passionate conversation with the head referee Marijana Velovich.

Rafael Nadal believes that Maryana Velovich has personal problems with him

After being booked for delaying the restart, Rafa criticized the referee for doing the same thing every time and starting the timer too early between points.

“I can’t handle a towel with you. Every time I’m in a hurry. Even when I serve normally, without wiping before, I see a timer for five, four seconds, and you always have the same.

It’s good. It doesn’t matter to you, I’ll never be able to get a towel. The towel is over there on the opposite side of the field. You don’t know, honey. You say you try to understand, but you don’t” – Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal’s path to the 2023 Australian Open came to a screeching halt in the second round of the event, where the defending champion was knocked out by Mackenzie McDonald (ATP No. 65) in three sets, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.