«Never said it’s my last time in Rome»

King Rafa Nadal abdicates and bids farewell to Rome. For the last time? It seems so even if he explains in the conference: «98% yes, not 100%». This is why he said “no” to the party that was planned on the pitch by the organizers at the end of the match. “I never said it was my last time here: 98% it is, but not 100%.” The ten-time International champion bids farewell to the Foro Italico in advance: the defeat in two sets against the Polish Hubert Hurkacz (6-1, 6-3), number 9 in the world and 7 in the seeding, very far from the 305 that Rafa occupied before to start the tournament. The Spaniard knew deep down that it would be el último baile, the last dance, even if he finds it hard to admit it, especially after a clear defeat. The Center, packed at 1pm despite the thirty degrees, recognized his effort and cheered him on until the end. Then when it’s time for the tribute: Rafa, 38 years old in just under a month, is emotional, thanks the public before quickly leaving the pitch.

Nadal says “no” to the on-court celebration

He should have returned to the field for one organized party and celebrate his ten triumphs. But Rafa, angry at the defeat, decided to say no. A video was planned with his ten victories, also involving the public. So much so that the organizers themselves initially asked the public not to leave the Central. Until it became clear that his decision was final.

«I never said it would be my last tournament here in Rome. I said it about Madrid, but here it’s different, it’s a different story – she said in the press conference after the defeat -. I never said it was my last time here 100%, maybe 98%. I didn’t expect a ceremony at the end of the matches, but if I retire I think they’ll have time.”

Rafa’s last dance

The match has little to tell: Rafa, 22 Slams in his palmares, 10 Internazionali BNL d’Italia titles, came from a 2023 in which he played only 4 matches and from a start of 2024 in which he took the field 10 more times, including his debut here in Rome the day before yesterday, when he managed to overcome the young Belgian Zizou Bergs, n. 108 in the world. Hurkacz it was a virtually impossible mountain to climb. Just think that Nadal he hadn’t challenged a Top 10 since the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin in 2022. Too younger, too fitter: the match lasted just over an hour and a half and ended in two sets. Rome has probably said its last “vamos” but there is still time to say goodbye to one of the greatest phenomena in world tennis. We will perhaps also see each other again at Roland Garros. «It depends on how I feel in the next few weeks. If I do it, I will try to give my best as I have done in the last 15 years.”

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