Rafael Nadal exits from Italian Open after loss against Denis Shapovalov
Rafael Nadal lost to Denis Shapovalov by 1-6 7-5 6-2 in the round of 16 of the Italian Open
ROME: Rafael Nadal, who seemed to be suffering from a foot issue, lost in the last 16 of the Italian Open against Denis Shapovalov.
The Spaniard controlled the first set before losing to the Canadian world number 16 by 1-6 7-5 6-2.
Nadal was hobbling towards the finish of the match, which may be an issue for the French Open, which begins on May 22.
"It started to hurt me again in the middle of the second set, and it became unbearable," Nadal said in a post-match interview.
"It's a pain that comes and goes. Sometimes stronger, sometimes less. Today was crazy. Maybe in two days, it will be better. I don't know how it will be in two days, in a week. I really don't know," he added.
The 35-year-old has just recently returned to action after a six-week layoff due to a rib ailment. He's also been afflicted with Mueller-Weiss Syndrome, a rare degenerative foot condition that caused him to miss Wimbledon last year.
Comments