Hubert Hurkacz attains potential unbeatable record against Rafael Nadal on clay after crushing win
ATPSunday, 12 May 2024 at 00:30
Hubert
Hurkacz became the only player to defeat Rafael Nadal on clay in drop 4 games
or less since the Spaniard won his first French Open in 2005. At 37 years old
and ranked world No. 305, Nadal barely made it to the second round of the Rome
Open and fell to the 7th seed in a tough 1-6, 3-6 loss in 1 hour and 33
minutes.
The
10-times Rome champion succumbed to a player who doesn't feel entirely
comfortable on clay and had suffered four consecutive defeats at Foro Italico. In
what was possibly his last match in Rome, Nadal managed to win only four games,
the lowest amount on clay since his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros 19 years
ago.
The worst defeat on clay?
Only twice in his career has Nadal suffered defeats of this
magnitude on clay. The first time was at the Mallorca Open in 2002. Nadal
played his first professional tournament at 15 years and 10 months old,
securing a victory in his debut against Paraguayan Ramon Delgado, becoming the
9th player in history to win his first ATP match before turning 16. In the
second round, he faced Olivier Rochus, who handed him a 2-6, 2-6 defeat.
Next challenge for Nadal will be at French Open in two weeks
A year later, in 2003, at 16 years old, he reached the third
round of the Hamburg Open but suffered a tough loss to Argentine Gaston Gaudio
(French Open champion a year later). It took 21 years for Nadal to suffer a
similar defeat again.
After that, Nadal suffered a defeat on clay that can be
quantitatively approached only once. This happened in the final of the 2015
Madrid Open against Andy Murray, where the British player completely outplayed
Nadal and secured victory with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
The King of Clay has won 478 matches on clay since the
beginning of his career and has lost only 47 (91%), accumulating 63 titles on
the surface.
Read also
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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