Rafael Nadal faced a tough battle in the first round of the Italian Open against Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs, ultimately securing a narrow 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Despite initial challenges, Nadal’s competitive spirit propelled him forward as he now gears up to face seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.
Expressing his mindset moving forward, Nadal acknowledged the need to push past his fear of injury and fully commit to his performance, especially with the French Open looming just two weeks away. He emphasized the importance of testing his limits and readiness for upcoming tournaments.
Reflecting on his match against Bergs, Nadal admitted to not playing at his best but highlighted his ability to find a way to win, providing him with the opportunity to showcase improved performance in the next round.
Nadal also shed light on his ongoing recovery process from last year’s surgery, particularly in adapting his muscles to the changes in his hip. Despite the challenges, he is determined to overcome any obstacles and embrace the risks associated with pushing his body to its limits.
In other tournament highlights, Naomi Osaka secured a significant victory by defeating Marta Kostyuk to reach the third round, marking her first top-20 win on clay this year. Additionally, Jack Draper advanced to the second round with a commanding win, while Dan Evans fell short against Fabio Fognini.
