Rafael Nadal’s 2016 season couldn’t have started any worse.
The 14-time Grand Slam tournament champion was knocked out in the opening round of the 2016 Australian Open to unseeded Fernando Verdasco on Tuesday.
This isn’t the first time Verdasco has given Nadal trouble at this tournament. He took Nadal to five sets during their semifinal matchup in 2009, but the Spaniard prevailed. Nadal beat Roger Federer a few days later to claim his only Aussie Open title.
Melbourne actually has been the toughest Grand Slam venue for Nadal in his legendary career. The Australian Open is the only major tournament he hasn’t won at least twice. In addition to his victory in 2009, he has reached the final in 2012 and 2014, losing to Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, respectively.
Tuesday’s loss marks the second time Nadal has been upset in Round 1 of a Grand Slam tournament. The other occurrence was Wimbledon in 2013.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SportsCenter
