The Pole who had already dismissed Federer in his last Wimbledon, passes 6-1 6-3. The city’s salute to the eliminated champion
A punch on the net post after the break suffered at the start of the second set. The frustration of Rafa Nadal, the champion of 22 Slams and 10 Internationals who with (rightly) pride says he has never broken a racket, is all in that gesture. The frustration of someone who is trying, who has tried, but he can’t do it. It is his body that decides, even before his opponent. It is his body that, after 20 years of battles and victories, falls and rebirths, seems to be telling him that it is time to say enough. It is a curious coincidence that, on the other side of the net, there is Hubert Hurkacz, the Pole who decreed Roger Federer’s exit from tennis in his last outing at Wimbledon. Even with a 6-0. Rafa avoided the shame of the “bagel”, lost 6-1 6-3, but what remains is elimination. The elimination from the Foro Italico which was his kingdom, like almost all tournaments on clay. The Foro Italico awaits him, embraces him, greets him with emotion. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see him anymore, given his post-match statements…
THE EMOTION
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The Foro Italico was supposed to be the litmus test of the state of health of the left-handed player who, here too for the last time, would like to play at Roland Garros. The Slam that certified Rafa’s greatness, however, requires a player capable of fighting long, five-set matches. And who knows if out of respect for his Slam, and for himself and his history, Nadal will decide to go and play it. In Rome, the left-handed man from Manacor arrived with his whole family. This year there is also Rafa Jr. “I would like my son to have memories of his father on the pitch”, he said when he announced his return to the circuit. Rafa Jr is small, in the arms of his mother Xisca and his grandfather he applauds, smiles, does not feel the detachment or melancholy for a champion who is ending his wonderful career. But we do, Central yes, Roma yes. Nadal will dissolve his reservations about Paris in these days, and if he doesn’t make it, he may try for one last exit at the Olympics. In the meantime, he has already given the OK to his presence in the Laver Cup in Berlin in September, the last act also for Roger Federer, who he wanted to honor in London two years ago. We’re not ready, Rafa, stay a little longer.
