Rafael Nadal has been slammed for kissing a ballgirl on the cheek after accidentally firing a brutal forehand straight into her face.
The world number one was up against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday when he hit 13-year-old Anita in the face during the third set.
The 33-year-old Spanish tennis star rushed to the ballgirl’s aid and kissed her on the cheek.
Nadal met with Anita after the game to make sure she was okay (pictured after the match)
Nadal checks on Anita’s face after accidentally firing a brutal forehand straight into her face
Antia (pictured) was given a cap from Nadal signed, ‘To my friend Anita. All the best’
Despite the heartwarming gesture, Nadal has been trolled online for ‘kissing an underage girl without her permission’.
‘That kiss Nadal gave the ball girl was NOT sweet it was highly inappropriate. He would never have kissed a ball boy #MeToo #AusOpen #AustralianOpen,’ one wrote.
‘So Nadal fans thinks it’s okay to kiss underage girls without asking first…hmm,’ someone else commented.
‘So, when #Nadal kissed an underage woman (ball girl) many thought it was cute/all right. But if Harvey #Weinstein did so, people would say he’s a sexual predator, a pig who ought to spend the rest of his natural life in prison (and of course, pay a whole bunch of dollars),’ another wrote.
World number one Rafael Nadal accidentally shot a forehand straight into 13-year-old Anita’s face
The tennis star rushed to Anita’s (pictured) aid and after checking to see she was okay kissed her on the cheek
Nadal has been trolled online for kissing an underage girl without her permission.
Anita (pictured) was kissed on the cheek by the tennis star after he accidentally hit a ball at her face
Others however commended the world number one for his caring nature and wished that they were kissed by Nadal.
‘Oh to be almost hit in the head by Rafael Nadal’s tennis ball, and to then be kissed tenderly on the cheek in apology,’ one wrote.
‘Rafael Nadal is the best. Apologizes to the girl after accidentally getting hit on the head and gets a kiss. What a class act by Nadal!! #AusOpen #AO2020,’ another wrote.
‘Imagine getting hit in the face bu Rafael Nadal and then him coming to comfort you and kiss you on the cheek,’ someone else commented.
Other tennis fans commended Nadal on his caring nature and wished they could get a kiss from him
Nadal and Anita take a smiling selfie which is shared to Instagram following the accident
Nadal once again met with Anita to ensure she was okay and received a signed cap and one of his sweatbands as a souvenir.
He also shared a smiling selfie to Instagram after having checking up on Anita to ensure she was okay.
‘Very happy to see that Anita is doing well,’ he wrote.
‘I also had the chance to meet her, her brother Mark and parents. Thank you.’
Nadal shared a smiling selfie to Instagram after having checking up on Anita to ensure she was okay
The pair were seen talking and laughing following the match after Anita was accidentally hit in the face
In his post match interview on Rod Laver Arena, Nadal said it was one of the scariest moments of his career.
‘For her it was probably not a good moment,’ Nadal said.
‘I was so scared for her honestly the ball was so quick and (hit her) straight on the head. She’s a super brave girl.’
‘Honestly it was one of the more scary moments on the court.’
Nadal was taken to a second-set tiebreak but was otherwise untroubled in the 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 victory.
‘I lost a lot of opportunities on break points. Honestly, I found a way to finally win that second set and in the third, I think I played a little bit more relaxed,’ he said.
He will play fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in the third round, and a possible fourth round clash with Australian star Nick Kyrgios.
The Spanish star (right) was all smiles when he met with 13-year-old Anita (left) after accidentally hitting her in the face with a forehand