Hubert Hurkacz offers glowing tribute to Rafael Nadal after taming the Raging Bull
Hubert Hurkacz got the better of Rafael Nadal in Rome in what ultimately proved to be a one-sided match, but he would still offer a tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
Hurkacz saw Nadal come out of the blocks in a hurry, and needed to be at his best to win an epic opening service game.
However, the Pole’s big-serving and powerful groundstrokes soon told and he swept to a 6-1, 6-3 win.
The enormity of the occasion was not lost on Hurkacz who must have realised that he likely ended Nadal’s last run in Rome.
“I’m definitely really proud of myself,” said Hurkacz after the match.
“Playing Rafa is something special. It’s just different, especially being on clay, the surface that he has just dominated over the past 20 years. No one will ever have a record like him on this surface.
“He’s just bigger than the sport at the end of the day.
“So many people follow him and he inspired so many guys, so I’m just really happy to have had that experience today.”
Hurkacz hadn’t played against Nadal before and was delighted to finally tick off a career goal.
Nadal is a record 10-time winner in Rome with a 70-9 record in the Italian metropolis.
The 37-year-old boosted his game early on against Hurkacz after overcoming Zizou Bergs in a three-set match on Thursday.
That did not, however, deter the Pole’s assault, as he effectively thwarted each of the seven break points he faced during the course of the match.
“It’s very special. We just had the opportunity to practise,” said Hurkacz.
“Growing up, looking up to him and seeing him win all those titles, obviously here and at Roland Garros, it was just a special experience.
“I wanted to play him so much, especially on clay, so just being able to share the court with him, especially with the atmosphere at the beginning of the match, how people really love him and support him.
“It’s tough to explain in words, but the whole atmosphere surrounding the beginning of the match was just different.”
Hurkacz felt like he was holding on for dear life early on and confessed that he didn’t know how he got through a tough opening phase.
“That was probably the longest three games I will ever play in my life,” said Hurkacz.
“I think I found my serve and that definitely helped my confidence build. Actually after those long games, I got into a pretty good rhythm and felt, ‘OK, I can go like this forever’.
“I just tried to compete.
“Obviously the score looks the way it does, but I knew I had to be on top of my game throughout the whole match.
“If I had dropped just a little bit, he was going to be right back there.
“That was the really tough part, and I was trying to manage it as good as I could.”
