Rafael Nadal will not chase his 11th Rome Masters title following a heavy 6-1, 6-3 loss to Hubert Hurkacz.

Two days ago, Rafa fought for three hours, but he was not at all prepared for a top-10 opponent. Nadal had a strong start on his preferred surface, but he lost distance and suffered one of his biggest defeats.

Rafa’s retirement appears increasingly likely after failing to get into better physical shape and perform at a level that would have allowed him to compete against the best of the best. This could be his last game at the Foro Italico.

Despite serving at 54%, Hubert did not let it cost him much because he had saved all seven break points—five of which came in the opening game of the match.

Nadal missed nearly half of the points in his games and suffered four breaks despite landing 72% of the first serves.

The Pole showed good control of his shots, hitting 23 winners, ten unintentional errors, and 22 service winners. Rafa was outplayed by Hubert at the baseline, as the 22-time Major champion made 20 unintentional mistakes, mostly with his forehand.

Rafa maintained contact for most long-distance and mid-range conversations. He struggled to impose his strokes despite hitting 19 winners, and he trailed severely in the shortest rallies, sometimes falling behind by as much as four strokes. He also only hit eight service winners.

In the opening game of the match, the Spaniard had the opportunity to take the lead and set up five breakaways.

The Pole saved face and gained momentum by denying them and holding with a winning service.

After playing against two break opportunities in the second game, Nadal held his own and finished the exhausting 27 minutes with a 1-1 score! After Rafa’s ill-advised drop shot attempt, Hubert created a break chance and converted it in the following game, holding on to love in the third.

In the sixth game, the veteran faltered behind the opening shot once more, executing an uncontrollable drop shot that put his opponent ahead 5-1. After Nadal’s forehand down the line attack in game seven, Hurkacz had two break points while serving for the set.

After the Spaniard made a forced error, the Pole denied them and closed off the set, leading 6-1 after 49 minutes.

Hubert kept up the pressure on a ten-time winner, rarely dropping a point after the opening stroke in the second set.

In the opening game, Nadal held on after leading 1-0 before running into trouble. Hubert converted it following a fortunate net chord forehand down the line after Rafa sprayed a backhand error and faced a break point. In game four, the Pole moved closer to the finish line with a hold at love that solidified the lead. It was a service winner.

Rafa served at 3-5 to extend the match, and they both served well in the ensuing four games. Rather, he lost serve on a forehand long, which put Hubert over the top and probably put an end to his Foro Italico career.