Andy Murray has provided his thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s incredible comeback following a setback at the Italian Open, arguing that the Spaniard was an example of quick planning.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion displayed a flash of brilliance in the second game of the decisive set against Zizou Bergs during the first round in Rome.
Serving at 0-1 (15-15), Nadal lost his footing and collapsed on Center Court after Bergs hit a deep return. Despite being behind early in the rally, Nadal was able to stand up and continue. Eventually, he recovered himself, took control of the point, and closed it with an incredible drop shot.
Murray stated his remarks about Nadal on X and wrote: “I think the best athletes and players are the quickest thinkers and this is a perfect illustration of this. Notice how Rafa gets up from the fall. He sees that the incoming ball is slow enough that he will reach it so it takes a split second to wipe his right hand on his thigh in case he needs it to hit a backhand later in the point.”
I think the best athletes/players are the quickest thinkers and this is perfect illustration of this. Notice how Rafa gets up from the fall…Sees that the incoming ball is slow enough that he will reach it so takes a split second to wipe his right hand on his thigh in case he… https://t.co/3FKL9ZsVXa
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 9, 2024
Andy Murray in 2024
LLLWLWWLWL Now ranked no.77, the Brit played his last match on the 24th of March when he surrendered to world no.45 Tomas Machac 5-7 7-5 7-6(5) in the 3rd round in Miami (draw).
This season Andy achieved a 5-8 record.
He is also scheduled to play in Geneva (Gonet Geneva Open) on the 19th of May and French Open (French Open) on the 26th of May.
Nadal in Rome, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked no.305, Rafael achieved an overall 7-3 win-loss record in 2024. Rafael is playing in Rome where he managed to beat the world no.108 Zizou Bergs 4-6 6-3 6-4.
Rafael Nadal will compete against the world no.9 Hubert Hurkacz in the 2nd round on Saturday at 1:00 pm on CENTER COURT. In the past, they have never played each other till now in top competitions.
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Nadal will play next at the French Open (French Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of May.
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal fought against each other 24 times. Their head to head is 17-7 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Andy Murray won 7-5 6-4 in the semifinal in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2016.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
