Rafael Nadal suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Hubert Hurkacz in the third round of the Italian Open, raising doubts about his participation in the upcoming French Open. The world No. 9 dominated Nadal, winning 6-1, 6-3 on Nadal’s favorite surface, sending the Spanish legend out of Rome. Nadal expressed disappointment in his performance, stating that he was not as ready as he had thought and had too many doubts due to inconsistent play in the past two years.
The French Open, where Nadal has achieved much success with 14 Grand Slam singles titles, is set to begin on May 26. This could potentially be his final appearance at the major tournament that he has dominated since his first win in 2005. Nadal mentioned that he is unsure about his participation in Paris, with physical issues impacting his decision-making process. Despite these challenges, he expressed a leaning towards competing at Roland Garros and giving his best effort.
Nadal’s loss in Rome came shortly after a defeat in the Madrid Open to No. 31 Jiri. Lehečka, the lowest-ranked player to beat Nadal in a clay event. Facing Hurkacz, Nadal suffered his most significant clay court defeat in 21 years, highlighting his ongoing struggles with fitness following a hip injury that sidelined him for most of 2023. Despite the setbacks, Nadal remains determined to assess his mental and physical condition before deciding on his French Open participation.
During the match against Hurkacz, Nadal was unable to convert any of his break points and made twice as many unforced errors as his opponent, with Hurkacz serving nine aces compared to Nadal’s one. Despite efforts to find solutions during changeovers, Nadal was unable to turn the tide in his favor. The defeat marked a significant setback for Nadal, who is aiming to regain top form as he navigates challenges on the court.
Amid speculation about his future in tennis, Nadal has hinted that this season may be his final one on tour. Fans in Campo Centrale showed their support with chants of encouragement for the record 10-time Rome champion, signaling their admiration for his illustrious career. While facing a top-10 player for the first time in a while, Nadal’s performance fell short of expectations, leading to questions about his ability to compete at the highest level in his current state.
As Nadal reflects on his recent defeats and grapples with physical and mental challenges, he remains committed to fighting for his legacy in the sport. With uncertainty surrounding his participation at the French Open, Nadal’s decision will have significant implications for his career and his pursuit of further success in the sport. Despite the setbacks and doubts that have arisen, Nadal’s resilience and determination continue to shine through as he navigates this critical juncture in his career.
