My love for Rafael Nadal knows no bounds. Sometimes, when I’m being dramatic, I say to myself, “Rafa could hit me in the face with a tennis ball and I’d still love him.” I don’t envision it ever happening, but bloody hell did it happen to a ball kid at the Australian Open last night. Rafa felt so bad, he kissed her on the cheek as an apology.

Nadal defeated Argentina’s Federico Delbonis last night, 6-3, 7(7)-6(4), 6-1, to make it through to the third round of the Aus Open. But mid-match, while Nadal was returning serve, the ball went wide and hit the kid’s face smack bang on her head.

I audibly gasped when it happened. The chair umpire, Delbonis, and Rafa all rushed to the girl, but she was fine. She didn’t even rub her cheek or anything – it was business as usual for her. What a bloody champ.

One of the commentators said the girl looked a bit flushed afterwards, and his colleague replied, “If Rafa kissed me, I’d be a little flushed.” Same.

Rafa also gave the ball girl his headband afterwards, which is just a tad sweet of him.

Speaking to Sam Groth in his post-match interview, Rafa said he was genuinely scared for the girl.

“The ball was quick and went straight to her head, so she’s a super brave girl.

“I’m just happy you are very good,” he said.

The world #1 will take on fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in the third round of the tournament. Tune into all the action on the Nine Network, or you can stream the Open live on Nine