Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia came to an abrupt end on Saturday, as he suffered a disappointing 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. The 10-time champion, who has hinted at retiring in 2024, was outplayed by the No. 7 seed in a match that lasted just 92 minutes.
Nadal, who had recently achieved his 700th victory at the Foro Italico, was aiming for his first Top 10 win since 2022. However, Hurkacz proved too strong, overwhelming the Spaniard with his powerful forehand and consistent serve.
Prior to the tournament, Nadal had revealed that he had been playing conservatively to protect his body from further injuries. However, he had planned to increase his intensity ahead of the upcoming Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles.
The match began with a riveting start, with the first two games taking 26 minutes to complete. However, Hurkacz, who had famously defeated Roger Federer in the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, gradually gained control of the match. He won the next five games to take the first set 6-1.
Hurkacz continued his dominance in the second set, breaking Nadal’s serve in the opening game. Nadal managed to keep the score closer, but Hurkacz remained unyielding, dropping just one point on serve to take a 5-3 lead.
With Nadal serving to stay in the match, Hurkacz struck a powerful forehand into the open court to earn a match point. The Pole then overpowered Nadal one last time from the back of the court to seal the victory and advance to the fourth round, where he will face No. 25 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry.
Nadal’s defeat marks a significant moment in his career, as it could be his last appearance at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The Spaniard has enjoyed immense success at the tournament, winning the title 10 times. However, with his retirement looming, it is possible that this was his final match on the clay courts of Rome.
