The tennis world wants to know the answer to the burning question related to Rafael Nadal – will he play at the Roland Garros? If he plays, it might turn out to be his last one in Paris, where he lifted a record 14 titles.
After losing easily to Hubert Hurkacz 6-1, 6-3 in the ongoing Italian Open, Nadal reiterated the uncertainty over his Roland Garros participation, saying he’s still not prepared for the clay-court Grand Slam event.
I don't want to make a decision yet. There are two possible paths. I think I am not prepared to compete at Roland Garros because of what I have done today. There are two weeks left, we are going to do everything possible to change the situation. Even if it is difficult for me, frustrating, I feel closer to trying. I'm stuck, but I will try as much as possible these two weeks. Rafael Nadal said at the press conference
Prior to the disappointing defeat to Hurkacz, Nadal beat Zizou Bergs in three sets in the first round. Before the event in Italy, the 22-time Grand Slam champion played in Barcelona, his first tournament since this year’s Brisbane International.
He got knocked out in Barcelona by Alex de Minaur in the Round of 32. Nadal then played in the Madrid Open and reached the fourth round, where Jiri Lehecka defeated him.
Hubert Hurkacz calls Rafael Nadal bigger than the sport
Any player will feel proud after beating Rafael Nadal on his favorite surface and for Hubert Hurkacz, it was the same. The Pole lauded Nadal for his achievements on the red dirt and called him bigger than tennis.
I am proud of myself because playing Rafa is special. It is just different, especially on clay, the surface he has dominated for the past 20 years. No one will ever have a record like him on this surface, so he is bigger than the sport. Hubert Hurkacz said after the match
Hurkacz will next face 25th seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry who defeated Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 7-5. Before Rome, the 27-year-old Pole played in Madrid and lost in the Round of 16.
Nadal, meanwhile, missed the rest of the season after playing at the Australian Open last year due to his hip flexor injury. After recovering, he played in Brisbane but injured his abdominal muscle.
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