Australian Open 2020 news - Rafael Nadal posts pic with 'brave' ball girl after ‘scariest moment’

Updated 24/01/2020 at 08:31 GMT

Rafael Nadal has tweeted a picture with “brave” ball girl Annita after she was hit by his wayward shot on Thursday.

Rafael Nadal with ball girl Annita (@RafaelNadal)

Image credit: Eurosport

Nadal admitted he was "so scared" after a wayward return struck a ball girl in the face during his Australian Open second round win.

Watch Nadal's heart-in-mouth moment as he cracks ballgirl in head with forehand

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The Spaniard rushed over to the net to check she was okay, with the 2009 champion kissing her on the cheek before returning to the baseline.

'I was so scared for her!' - Nadal explains he feared for ballgirl after incident

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.

And afterwards, Nadal said on Twitter that he met Annita and her family.

"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."

Nadal meets ball girl he whacked in the face with shot

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