Rafael Nadal suffered one of the cruelest defeats on clay. The king lived through one of his worst nightmares at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome, the tournament he won ten times (2005 to 2007, 2009 and 2010, 2012 and 2013, 2018 and 2019, 2021), representing one of the fiefdom of a reign that is about to end.
In a few weeks he will be 38, from months of uncertainty due to a combination of physical problems. The hip injury was significant enough to take him to the operating room, leave him with a blank year and jeopardize a career he himself decided to end. He is on a farewell tour. Although he has not yet set a date or place for his final farewell, he has finally said goodbye to Barcelona and Madrid.
There are also no more presences in the Roman Foro Italico. Nadal, world number 305, suffered an unusual sporting disaster. He gave in to the Pole Hubert Hurkacz27 years old and No. 9, 6-1 and 6-3 in 1h.33′, in the second round match in Rome.
The actions of Rafael Nadal They revealed how much he was experiencing this, as he was not feeling well at headquarters. He did not perform as he would have liked, against a quality rival who showed how rivals have lost their fear of untouchables on clay.
Hurkacz had lost his four previous matches in Rome, but on a sunny day, on a fast track, he starred in one of his most inspiring days. And he breaks the ball when he feels like it. He keeps suffering from several nervous breakdowns, which happen sometimes when he has to finish a good job.
But no, the doubts are Rafael Nadal, when he must make the final decision whether to attend Roland Garros, from May 26 to June 9. The logical thing is to have a bye in which he took fourteen of his 22 Roland Garros titles. But he himself wants to emphasize that he will say this when Rome is over.
And he did it in the most painful way. Not because of the defeat itself, but how he was sometimes dominated by a faster specialist, although this season he is the champion on the land of Estoril. Because Balearic grimaces show that he does not compete with what he likes.
The characteristic battle of nadal, which does not stop trying even in the worst conditions. A sign of the identity of this legend of world tennis, of universal sport.
It was not Nadal’s day, the first game turned out to be a premonition. Fifteen minutes, five break balls in favor, but the game fell on the edge of Hurkacz. Contrary to what happened in the past. Law of life. The public rallied to him, but he failed to push through. Rafa did not leave, nor did he leave him a brilliant opponent.
Author of 92 titles, 479 victories, the 48th defeat on clay slowed down Nadal. Roland Garros should be the next stop. Let’s see how this nightmare fits into Rome. In number, only the third TKO on the ground with a total of only four games.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
