‘What is happening?’: Nadal ‘disgusted’ as Aussie wildcard stuns tennis world

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal has been pushed to breaking point by an unknown Aussie wildcard in an epic US Open thriller.

Rafael Nadal has been pushed to breaking point by Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata in an epic US Open first round match

The 22-time grand slam champion dropped the first set to leave the New York crowd stunned before he dug deep to fight back and win the match 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-3.

It was only at the end of a marathon 15-minute service game — that brought the crowd to its feet — that Nadal finally won the match with his fifth match point.

Hijikata was given a standing ovation as he left the court and Nadal also stood and applauded as his opponent walked off after their three-hour battle.

Nadal called Hijikata a “tough” opponent in his brief post-match on-court interview.

The 21-year-old ambushed the Spanish superstar with some spectacular groundstrokes on Wednesday morning AEST, taking the opening set of their round one encounter 6-4 in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows.

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World No. 198 Hijikata, who is competing in his maiden grand slam tournament singles draw, broke Nadal’s serve in the seventh game to flip the script and leave the New York crowd in shock.

“It was the forehand that did so much damage, really taking it on. The court positioning was just razor-sharp, he was ready,” Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic said in commentary for Channel 9.

“The break point at 3-all set the tone for that set but also the pressure to serve it out. Just really unloading on a lot of those forehands. Just the perfect set from Hijikata.

“You’ve got to start again and sometimes you can drop together with your focus and adrenaline.

“You don’t want to get broken early on in the second set.”

Rinky Hijikata of Australia. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

There was one service game in the first set where Nadal coughed up three unforced errors from basic second serves, something that is almost unheard of.

“He is disgusted,” an American TV commentator said.

But of course, you can’t keep a champion like Nadal quiet for long — the Spaniard rediscovered his mojo in the second set, breaking Hijikata’s serve early to take a 4-2 lead.

The talented left-hander broke serve again in the eighth game to restore order and tie the scores at 1-1. He celebrated with a trademark fist pump.

He carried that fire into the third set which he wrapped up 6-3.

Even as he secured the crucial break of serve in the fourth set, Nadal didn’t appear to be moving at his best.

“I don’t think he’s quite right,” Woodbridge said of Nadal in commentary for Channel 9.

Nadal, the No. 2 seed, has been touted as one of the favourites to win the US Open this year after rival Novak Djokovic was denied entry to the country because of his vaccine status.

“It’s not often you get to play a player of that calibre and I’m definitely pumped,” Hijikata told ATPTour.com before the match.

“I can’t wait to go out there and give it my best shot.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to go out there on the biggest stages of tennis and try to have a big crack at players like that.

“I’m excited for the contest, I’m excited for the challenge. I want to go out there and represent everyone and try and give it my best shot.”

Know the name: Rinky Hijikata.

The 🇦🇺 takes the first set over Nadal, 6-4. pic.twitter.com/TamN3zFBKJ

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022

Rinky Hijikata is playing the game of his LIFE!!!

He takes the first set over Rafael Nadal, 6-4!

Come onnnnn!#USOpen

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 31, 2022

i mean...what an epic debut for Rinky Hijikata, winning his very first set at a grand slam, on Ashe, against Rafa 👏 #usopen

— Anna Mendoza (@banannarep) August 31, 2022

What is happening?! #RafaNadal just lost the first set to Rinky Hijikata in the #USOpen2022. 😱

— Daina Falk (@TheHungryFan) August 31, 2022

Elsewhere in Flushing Meadows, reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina crashed out of the tournament after unseeded qualifier Clara Burel defeated her in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

Rybakina, who tallied 19 winners and a whopping 37 unforced errors, becomes the sixth seeded woman to be knocked out in the opening round of the US Open, joining two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep.

American sporting icon Serena Williams claimed a 6-3 6-4 win over World No. 80 Danka Kovinic to ensure her incredible career goes for another match, while No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out after suffering a shock defeat to Colombian qualifier Daniel Galan.

Meanwhile, fiery Frenchman Benoit Paire claims he might have played his final tennis match after a spectacular tank job against Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who eased to a comfortable 6-0 7-6 6-0 victory.