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By Erik Gudris/Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Rafael Nadal advanced after his first round opponent
Bernard Tomic retired due to injury in their opening round
match in Melbourne.
Photo Credit: AP
Though billed as a must-see match, injury marred the
first round meeting between top seed Rafael
Nadal and Australia’s Bernard Tomic
at the Australian Open.
During the opening game, Tomic appeared to deal with a groin
injury that slowed his movement at times. At 2-1, Tomic left
the court to take a medical time out.
After returning, Tomic appeared to play through pain as he
grimaced often after points. Though he displayed flashes of
solid tennis, it wasn’t enough to stop Nadal. The world No. 1
broke Tomic’s serve to go up 5-4 after Tomic netted a wayward
slice backhand.
A game later, Nadal closed out the set 6-4.
It was just after that Tomic decided he had enough and retired
from the match. Saying “Sorry” to the crowd, Tomic walked off
Rod Laver Arena to a mixture of cheers and boos.
The abrupt end to the match punctuated a long day filed with
player injuries and retirements, some brought about by
excessive heat of well over 100 degrees.
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