Unseen Defeat for Nadal in Monte Carlo
Rafael Nadal's shocking loss to Fabio Fognini in the Monte Carlo Masters raised eyebrows, with the second set being particularly contentious as Nadal saved five match points to avoid a bagel. This defeat casts doubt on Nadal's readiness for the French Open in the coming month.
Nadal, aged 32, had to withdraw from the semifinals in Indian Wells last month due to knee issues, which forced him to pull out of Miami Masters a week later. Nevertheless, Nadal rallied from a 1:4 deficit in the first set against Guido Pella to reach the tiebreaker.
The loss marked the fourth time Fognini defeated Nadal in 15 encounters, with Fognini boasting an impressive 18-match winning streak against Nadal in the Principality. Fognini is one of only seven players to defeat Nadal multiple times on clay, boasting an impressive track record against the 17-time Grand Slam champion.
Fognini deserves credit for his victory, securing his ticket to his first Masters 1000 final, where he will aim for the most significant title of his career. After defeating the defending champion, Nadal, Fognini becomes one of four players to beat Nadal in Monte Carlo. In the final, he will face unseeded Serbian Dusan Lajovic.
This information does not account for Nadal's current retirement status, announced after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. He has not engaged in tennis activities since and focuses on new personal endeavors, including a return to football[2][5]. Nadal is not participating in the French Open 2025 and has not revealed his current fitness status in relation to tennis.
References: (1) edition.cnn.com
