Rafael Nadal kissing a ballkid on her cheek during an Australian Open match on Thursday, January 23, 2020. (Photo Credit: Screengrab/Twitter)
New Delhi :
World number one tennis player Rafael Nadal on Thursday melted hearts with an adorable gesture during his game against Federico Delbonis of Argentina in the second round of Australian Open. In the second set of the game, a fearsome shot by top-seated Nadal accidentally hit a ballgirl. Nadal rushed to console the ballgirl and kissed her on the cheek.
A video of the heart-warming gesture was posted by the Australian Open's official Twitter handle after Nadal's straight-sets victory over his Argentinian rival at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
The incident took place during the second-round clash when the ballkid found herself in his firing line and one of Nadal's fearsome shots ricocheted off her. Nadal went over to check how she was and gave her a quick peck on the cheek for good measure, leaving the youngster blushing.
"For her it was not a good moment, I was so scared for her, the ball was quick and straight on her," Nadal said after the match, giving her his headband as a momento. "She's a super brave girl. It has been one of the more scary moments of my career. I'm very happy she is good. She is brave. Well done."
*ðÂÂÂÂÂ’¯ðÂÂÂÂÂ’½ðÂÂÂÂÂ’¶ð“‰* ballkid moment, narrated by @RafaelNadal 📚
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2020
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Nadal Labours Past Delbonis To Reach Third Round Of Australian Open
Top seed Rafael Nadal laboured past dogged fellow left-hander Federico Delbonis Thursday to take another step towards only a second Australian Open crown. The Spanish world number one created 20 break point chances but was constantly denied by the Argentine before he wrapped up a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 win on Rod Laver Arena.
The victory set up a third-round clash with countryman Pablo Carreno Busta, his doubles partner at this month's ATP Cup. Nadal had dropped only 10 games in three previous emphatic wins over 76th-ranked Delbonis, and defeat was never on the cards at Melbourne Park.
