Nadal’s French Open prep takes hit, ousted by Hurkacz in second round

Rafael Nadal’s preparations for his likely final French Open took a significant hit when he was defeated in straight sets by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, May 11. Nadal, after advancing to the second round, was outperformed with scores of 1-6, 3-6, managing to win just four games. This loss sets the stage for his next competition to be at the French Open, where he is expected to make his last appearance, especially after a year marred by injuries.

Nadal’s exit from the Italian Open has left him pondering his future. He expressed uncertainty about his decision but indicated a strong inclination to compete at Roland Garros. “The decision is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what my feeling is, I am leaning towards trying my best at Roland Garros,” Nadal shared with the press.

He acknowledged some physical challenges but felt they were not severe enough to keep him away from what he considers the pinnacle event of his career. “Physically I have some issues, but probably not enough to stop playing in the most important event of my tennis career. We’ll see how I feel mentally in the coming days,” he added.

Nadal, who has claimed 14 French Open titles, has been battling injuries and seems to be running low on stamina to secure another title. He hasn’t competed in a Grand Slam since 2023 and aims to return at this major event at the end of May.

Following his recent defeat, Nadal skipped a farewell lap, indicating there is “98 percent, not 100 percent” chance of his returning to play in Italy.

Hurkacz is set to play Tomas Etcheverry in the third round after possibly marking the end of Nadal’s long and successful run in Rome. The 22-time Grand Slam champion appears poised to retire at the season’s end.

The 2024 French Open is scheduled to start on May 20 and run until June 9, featuring top players like Novak Djokovic and Nadal. While the focus is on Nadal’s final rounds, Djokovic is also in the spotlight as he could potentially make history by winning his 25th Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Margaret Court’s record of 24 titles.