Andy Roddick commented on Rafael Nadal’s actions at the Italian open that left him in stitches.
The Spaniard began his campaign in Rome looking to build some momentum ahead of what is likely to be his final Roland Garros appearance.
After outlasting Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs in round one, the 37-year-old won just four games against seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 defeat.
As he made his way over a bridge to leave the Foro Italico later that day, he was greeted by thousands of fans who waited to catch a final glimpse of the tennis legend.
But it was when he exited the court after the Hurkacz loss that Roddick found rather amusing.
What Rafael Nadal did that Andy Roddick found amusing
After losing his first-ever meeting with Hurkacz, Nadal, who failed to convert any of his seven break point opportunities, was quick to leave the court.
But Roddick spotted that the 22-time Grand Slam champion did this despite the Italian Open planning an on-court ceremony to pay tribute to his illustrious career, which did not materialise due to his swift exit.
“Rafa leaving Rome, and I don’t know who has seen that clip of him walking over a bridge to get to transportation when you’re leaving,” the American said on his ‘Served’ Podcast.
“Rafa walks over that bridge, there had to be 15,000 people just shouting his name. Rafa also, when he left, wasn’t in a great mood.
“They had some kind of tribute ceremony on court that they were rolling out and he just walked off, which I thought was hilarious. And then he went to press and he was very matter-of-fact. I kind of respected it.”
How does Rafael Nadal feel about his game ahead of Roland Garros?
After winning just one match at the Barcelona Open, where he made his comeback after a three-month injury absence, Nadal found some form at the Madrid Open.
He avenged his Barcelona defeat to Alex de Minaur and prevailed in a three-hour classic over Pedro Cachín, before losing to the big-serving Jiri Lehecka in round four.
Nadal failed to progress in Rome where he lost to Hurkacz and following the tournament he was unsure about his physical status and level of play ahead of Roland Garros.
“You can see today on the court how difficult it is,” Nadal said afterwards. “Probably one option is to say, ‘OK, I’m not ready, I’m not playing well’.
“Then it’s the moment to take a decision in terms of not playing Roland Garros. Another is to accept how I am today and work to try to be in a different way in two weeks.
“Physically I have some issues. The time is coming to make a decision if I might not play Roland Garros. If I have to say which side I lean towards, it’s to try to play it and give my best.”
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