US Open 2022: Rafael Nadal suffers bloody nose after freak accident on court – Watch

Rafael Nadal injury: Rafael Nadal, one of the favourites at the US Open 2022, suffered a freak injury during his second round match against Italian Fabio Fognini in New York on Thursday. The 36-year-old hit himself on the face and suffered a bloody nose when his racket bounced off the ground after a backhand shot. The Spaniard immediately dropped his racket and grimaced in pain while holding his bloodied nose. Nadal had to take a medical timeout on the sidelines and  he was given first aid.

At first, Nadal put a cold water bottle to comfort his hurting nose. Then his trainer applied a bandage to the injury before he managed to get up and resume the match.

 The official US Open Twitter handle shared a video clip of him returning to play the game after receiving some medical attention. The official word was that he had sustained a “cut on the nose”.

Rafa Nadal returns to action after sustaining a cut on his nose. pic.twitter.com/m6gOlcqk2K

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2022

Rattled by the injury, it took Nadal some time before he could settle down. In the process Nadal lost five straight points before he regained his composure and beat Fognini 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 in the second round game at the US Open 2022.
 

We're glad you are ok, @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/t9hzv1QNMH

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2022

However, Nadal was in better spirits after the win. The official US Open Twitter handle shared a clip of a smiling and relieved Nadal during the post-match interaction. When asked if he had injured himself in the face before,  the clay-court great said that he had done so with a golf club and never with a tennis racket. He further added that it was a bit painful in the beginning and and he felt a little dizzy.