Amazing comeback of Rafa’s next opponent

For young American McKenzie McDonald today’s match-up with Rafa Nadal in Paris in the second round of the French Open marks a tremendous achievement.

In Paris last year he tore his right hamstring and it looked bleak for the 25-year-old.

“I couldn’t walk,” McDonald admitted to ATP news.

“The surgery was pretty big. I have a massive scar underneath my butt and I wasn’t able to walk for the first month-and-a-half, two months.

“I didn’t leave my apartment. I was barely able to shower, or go to the bathroom.”

The injury was so severe he lost muscle mass in his leg and it took a long rehab to get back to where ehe today.

“I was able to put one pound down on my foot lightly tapping [it at] around 10 per cent. Then the next week it was 20, the next week it was 30, 35, 40. Then it was a one-pound weight three times a week. Then it was two pounds, then it was three. It was gruelling.”

15 months of har labour and the Californian is back – and facing the world No.2.

“It’s probably one of the biggest challenges you can face in sports, playing him here,” he said.

“But I think this year I have the best chance of any year.”

“I think with the balls, with the speed, with how much lower it’s bouncing [that will help].

“I think I’m playing the best clay-court tennis I have played and he hasn’t played too much this year. I think it’s a tough challenge, but I have to believe that I can beat him.”

In 15 second-round matches at Roland Garros, the Spaniard has only lost one set.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

4 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

4 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago