Rafael Nadal loses to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome

Rafael Nadal’s bid to win the Italian Open for a record-extending 11th time ended with a second-round defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome.

On Thursday, Nadal fought back from a set down against Zizou Bergs to qualify for the next stage of a tournament he last won in 2021.

But the 37-year-old Spaniard was outclassed 6-1 6-3 by seventh seed Hurkacz on a blistering warm day – a match which could prove to be Nadal’s last in the Italian capital.

The eternal city will never forget.#IBI24 | @atptour | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/jbQVspg91z

— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 11, 2024

Nadal, a winner of 22 grand-slam titles who could retire at the end of the year, lost his very first service game, and was broken on two further occasions as Hurkacz took the opening set in comprehensive fashion, losing just one game.

Nadal was then immediately on the backfoot in the second set when he was broken in just the third game, with Hurkacz, ranked ninth in the world, going on to complete an impressive victory in one hour and 32 minutes.

“I am proud of myself because playing Rafa is special,” said Hurkacz following his first match against Nadal.

“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.”

Nothing but respect for Rafa