Beaten Nadal is a doubt for Paris
RAFAEL NADAL has thrown into doubt his participation at the French Open after crashing to a straight-sets loss at the Italian Open yesterday.
Nadal, a 10-time champion in Rome, was thrashed 6-1, 6-3 by an inspired Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
Nadal was devastated by one of his heaviest losses on his beloved clay surface, and the Spaniard immediately questioned whether he was in the right form to go to Paris for the year’s second Grand Slam, which starts in eight days.
‘You can see today on the court how difficult it is,’ said Nadal, the record 14-time French Open champion.
‘Probably one option is to say, “OK, I’m not ready, I’m not playing well”.
‘Then it’s the moment to take a decision in terms of not playing Roland Garros.
‘Another is accept how I am today and work to try to be in a different way in two weeks.’
The 37-year-old, who had come through a three-set battle against Zizou Bergs on Thursday, missed last year’s French Open after undergoing hip surgery from which he is still recovering.
‘Phyiscally I have some issues,’ he said. ‘The time is coming to make a decision if I might not play Roland Garros. If I have to say which side I lean towards, it’s to try to play it and give my best.’
There were mixed fortunes for British players at the Italian Open, with Cameron Norrie making it through to the last 32 but Jack Draper knocked out.
British No1 Norrie won a seesaw affair against Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
But Draper was beaten in straight sets, 7-5 ,6-4, by Russia’s second seed Daniil Medvedev.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic showed his sense of humour by turning up to sign autographs for fans yesterday — wearing a cycling helmet.
The world No1 was accidentally knocked on the head by a water bottle while mingling with fans after his opening win on Friday.
The Serbian was left curled on the floor in some distress following the incident, but despite reports suggesting he may have to withdraw from the tournament, he will play in the last 32 today against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo.