Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Italian Open by world quantity 9 Hubert Hurkacz.
In what’s more likely to be the Spaniard’s closing look in Rome, Nadal, 37, was comfortably overwhelmed 6-1 6-3 by the big-serving Pole in simply 93 minutes.
Nadal, a 10-time winner within the Italian capital, has indicated that 2024 is more likely to be his closing season earlier than retirement.
The 14-time French Open champion says he’s but to determine whether or not to play at Roland Garros this 12 months. The match begins on 26 Could.
“The choice, as you may think about, is just not clear in my thoughts at present,” Nadal mentioned.
“But when I’ve to say what’s my feeling and if my thoughts is nearer come what may approach, I will say ‘be in Roland Garros and take a look at my greatest’.
“Bodily, I’ve some points, however not most likely but sufficient to say not taking part in in an important occasion of my tennis profession.”
Elsewhere, Polish world primary Iga Swiatek booked her place within the ladies’s final 16 with a 6-3 6-4 win over Yulia Putintseva.
Swiatek got here from 4-1 down within the second set to increase her profitable streak to eight matches, and can tackle Angelique Kerber within the subsequent spherical after her straight-set win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Naomi Osaka has nonetheless not dropped a set within the match to date after beating Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-3.
The Japanese former world quantity three performs the winner of Linda Noskova and Qinwen Zheng subsequent.