Australian Open 2020 news: Rafael Nadal kisses ball girl after hitting her with wayward forehand
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/01/2020 at 13:47 GMT
Rafael Nadal admits he was "so scared" after a wayward return struck a ball girl in the face during his Australian Open second round win.
Rafael Nadal of Spain makes sure a ball kid is okay after he hit her with the ball in his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia
Image credit: Getty Images
The Spaniard rushed over to the net to check she was OK, with the 2009 champion kissing her on the cheek before returning to the baseline.
He soon sealed a 6-3 7-6 6-1 win over Argentina’s Federico Delbonis to reach the third round, gifting his headband to the ball girl before celebrating on Rod Laver.
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Nadal kisses ballgirl after painful accident
"For her, it was probably not a good moment," Nadal told interviewer Sam Groth on court.
"The ball was quick... so she’s a super brave girl. It’s one of the more scary moments I’ve had on a tennis court because the ball was straight on the head."
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'I was so scared for her!' - Nadal explains he feared for ballgirl after incident
Earlier, Nadal's serve routine was mimicked by both Nick Kyrgios and Gilles Simon during the former's second-round win on Melbourne Arena, adding further fuel to the fire ahead of a potential fourth-round showdown with the temperamental Aussie.
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Kyrgios imitates Nadal – and even the umpire laughs!
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