Rafael Nadal has a good laugh: The Spaniard made it to the second round in Rome. © ANSA / FABIO FRUSTACI
The 24-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal had some difficulties in the first round of the 1000 Masters tournament in Rome, but still won the game in the end.
09. May 2024
From: mv
The great Rafael Nadal, who at the age of 37 has completely reached the end of his glorious career, had a bit of trouble at his start to the glorious tournament in Rome against the Belgian Zizou Bergs (ATP 108), but thanks to an enormous show of strength he finally succeeded yes, to bend mountains. After three entertaining sets, Nadal won 4:6, 6:3 and 6:4.
You could clearly see it: It wasn’t Rafael Nadal, who has already won 24 Grand Slam titles in his great career, including ten titles at the French Open. He seemed sluggish, slow and too transparent – which Bergs also knew how to take advantage of in the first sentence. But then the veteran rebelled and equalized the game in the second set before he was able to make the third set very positive – much to the delight of the numerous fans in the stands – and thus pulled Bergs’ tooth.
At one point, Rafael Nadal was already on the ground, but immediately fought back. © ANSA / FABIO FRUSTACI
One scene in particular from the Spaniard in the third set blew the audience away. During his serve game, a return from Bergs landed right at Nadal’s feet when he was already on the ground due to a stupid move. Give up? Not Nadal! The 37-year-old got up quickly, then exchanged a few balls with Bergs before loading him with a wonderful stop ball and winning the game.
Next up against Hurkacz
Nadal will now face Hubert Hurkacz (ATP 9) in the second round. The Pole enjoyed a bye in the first round and will start the Rome tournament against the Spaniard.
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2024-05-09 17:08:58
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