Nadal comforts ball girl with kiss after his return hits her

Published January 23, 2020

Rafael Nadal had what he called one of the "scariest moments" of his entire career on Thursday in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal apologizes to ball-girl in AU-Open. pic.twitter.com/Sbt5UeHcYu
— İrfan Özbek (@irfanozbek) January 23, 2020

He was comfortably leading 4-1 in the third set when a wild return hit a ball girl right in the side of head. Both Nadal and Federico Delbonis rushed to the net to see if she was OK. The girl took it like a champ, but Nadal still consoled her with a kiss to the cheek.

Nadal hits a ball girl and kisses her owwwwwww pic.twitter.com/OlvZyeCLOx
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2020

"I was so scared for her," he told Sam Groth on court. "The ball was quick and straight on the head. She's a super brave girl."

Nadal would also give her his headband after finishing the 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-1 win.