"Please please Rafa, preserve yourself for Roland Garros" - Tennis fans express concern as Rafael Nadal limps to loss against Shapovalov in Rome
Rafael Nadal's road to Roland Garros hit a major roadblock as he appeared to aggravate a foot injury at the Italian Open.
After missing the first two tournaments of the European clay swing (Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open) due to a rib fracture, the Spaniard returned to action at the Madrid Open where he lost in the quarterfinals to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Mallorcan fell one round sooner at the Italian Open this week, succumbing to a shock defeat against Denis Shapovalov in the third round. After losing the first set 6-1, the Canadian stepped up his game to take the next two 7-5 and 6-2 and pull off his biggest upset to date.
Shapovalov solves the Rafa riddle 🙌
He stuns Nadal 1-6 7-5 6-2 to reach the Rome QFs!
@denis_shapo | @InteBNLdItalia | #IBI22 https://t.co/WaWhUn70ko
But more than his chances at Roland Garros, it was the way in which the former World No. 1 capitulated that had his fans worried on social media. Nadal was visibly limping in the third set and exhibited none of the characteristic hustling that has become synonymous with him.
Hard to watch 😔
A difficult end to the night for @RafaelNadal in Rome...
@InteBNLdItalia #ibi22 https://t.co/4oOyTrYP4Q
Fans on Twitter were quick to express their concern for his well-being.
"The reality is that the foot has gotten between him and a lot of wins, which is a shame. Nadal is such a key part of the tour, and has been for so long, what with him participating in an all-time-great match practically every year," one fan wrote.
The reality is that the foot has gotten between him and a lot of wins, which is a shame. Nadal is such a key part of the tour, and has been for so long, what with him participating in an all-time-great match practically every year.
It’s very difficult, but it’s probably better to appreciate the moments when he can manage the pain than to wonder about the what-ifs (of which there are many, as wild as that is to say about one of the GOATs).
"I don’t like to see a hobbling Nadal. He refuses to retire. He’s limping quite badly.. please please Rafa preserve yourself for Roland Garros," another fan wrote.
I don’t like to see a hobbling Nadal. He refuses to retire.
He’s limping quite badly.. please please Rafa preserve yourself for Roland Garros.
Shapovalov beats Nadal in Rome.
Very tough to watch at the end with Nadal in pain and limping badly - as bad as we’ve seen it on court.
Shapovalov won 17 of the last 20 points.
@RafaelNadal has made my job an absolute joy to do these past 16 years. The memories he has created along with his great rivals will,apart from my family,be the greatest experience of my life. I don’t want it ever to be the end but before it is thank you Rafa. You are a legend
"[He] can’t win everything in his condition. Just accept it. Let’s just wish Rafa good health and even a chance to finish tournaments healthy is enough for me now after AO. Then every now and then he wins a title. Happy days. Get well soon!" one user posted.
I think some Nadal fans live in delusion. We can’t win everything in his condition. Just accept it. Let’s just wish Rafa good health and even a chance to finish tournaments healthy is enough for me now after AO. Then every now and then he wins a title. Happy days. Get well soon!
Would probably be better if people treated Nadal's foot more like Fed's back than a normal injury. It's unpredictable, incurable and assuming the future after a flareup is likely foolish.
He missed most of 2021, he also won a 5 hour AO final on hard court, who knows.
"It's terribly sad to see someone's body break down. It was tragic to see it happen to Roger, it's tragic with Rafa, and it will be tragic when it happens to Novak. Which it will, because this sport is brutal on the body. Show some empathy, please. None of the big 3 deserve that pain," another user lamented.
it's terribly sad to see someone's body break down. it was tragic to see it happen to roger, it's tragic with rafa, and it will be tragic when it happens to novak. which it will, bc this sport is brutal on the body. show some empathy, pls. none of the big 3 deserve that pain.
@VivaFernando Today's match was a microcosm of his career. We should enjoy what is left. Rafa gave his and won so much in spite of his foot problem that led to a host of other injuries. I can't think of a single athlete that has achieved what he has with the injuries throughout his career.
Despite all this, most fans were unanimous in their praise of Denis Shapovalov for the way he played against the seasoned veteran. Up next, the World No. 16 will lock horns with Casper Ruud, making for a blockbuster quarterfinal encounter.
"Much of the focus will be on Nadal’s fitness, but we must also remember to credit Shapovalov. Nadal was playing well in set 1, but Denis never lost belief and he did start to change his tactics in the second set. Serving from a wide positions, & improving his rally tolerance," one account tweeted.
Much of the focus will be on Nadal’s fitness, but we must also remember to credit Shapovalov. Nadal was playing well in set 1, but Denis never lost belief and he did start to change his tactics in the second set. Serving from a wide positions, & improving his rally tolerance.
Was all set to make a joke about how Andy Murray beat Denis Shapovalov when Rafael Nadal couldn't but now that Nadal's injured, I realise that would make me look like a right old bastard and so all I'll say is get well soon, Rafa. 💕
Shapovalov knocks off Rafael Nadal, who struggled with an injury (likely the left foot), 1-6, 7-5, 6-2, in Rome.
Great performance by Shapovalov.
Obviously big worries for Nadal, with RG less than two weeks away. https://t.co/xL0tqz6LHd
Rafael Nadal will head to Roland Garros without a clay title to his name this year
For what feels like the first time in forever, Rafael Nadal will show up at the French Open without a clay title to his name. In fact, this is the first time since 2004 where the Mallorcan has not reached at least the semifinals of a clay Masters 1000 event. Back then, the World No. 4 played in none of the three tournaments (Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome).
For the first time since:
- Madrid 2012, Nadal has lost before QF in a M1000 on clay
- Rome 2008, Nadal has lost before QF in a M1000 on red clay
- 2004, Nadal has not reached a SF at any of the clay M1000
- 2003, Nadal has played 2+ M1000 on clay and has not reached any final
In 2020, when the COVID pandemic messed with scheduling, the 35-year-old only played at the Italian Open, falling in the quarterfinals. In 2015, the Spaniard reached the final in Madrid and the semifinals in Monte-Carlo but did not win either. It is also the first time since the 2012 Madrid Masters that the former World No. 1 has lost before the quarterfinals in a clay Masters 1000 tournament.