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22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal received an emotional and grand farewell from fans after getting knocked out of the Italian Open 2024. The Spaniard was greeted by a huge crowd after he walked out of the stadium into the players’ area. Nadal, also known as The King of Clay fell to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round of the tournament with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-3. He also said that he couldn’t guarantee he would play the French Open, which is set to kick off on May 26.
In several videos circulating on social media, the tennis ace could be seen greeting the crowd in Rome with them cheering for him despite his disappointing exit from the tournament. Not only this, but they encouraged Nadal with the chants of “Ole Ole Ole, Ra-fa, Ra-fa.” Notably, the game was 305 ranked’s first match against a player inside the top-10 in a year-and-a-half. The last time, he beat Casper Ruud in the 2022 ATP finals.
I felt more ready than what I showed: Rafael Nadal
Nadal reflected on his loss and said that it was indeed a tough day for him in all ways. The record 10-time champion said, “Tough day for me in all ways because I felt more ready than what I showed. I am a little bit more unpredictable today, not playing enough for the last two years. Too many doubts.” Speaking about his chances to play Roland Garros, Nadal said he had only two options.
As per Nadal, “One is to say, ‘OK, I am not ready, I am not playing enough well. Another is to accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks. The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I am going to be in Roland Garros and try my best.”
