Is it really happening? Are we already seeing the passing of the torch in the Italian Open, or is this SBOTOP writer just exaggerating?
To beat one of the greatest tennis players who ever lived requires more than just heart and skill, but the budding Chilean, Alejandro Tabilo made it look easy as pie.
67 minutes. It only took 67 minutes for the 26-year-old to eliminate the 24-time Grand Slam winner, and World No. 1, Novak Djokovic, during their Round-of-32 clash in the Italian Open.
It was the first time the pair had shared the court, but that didn’t faze the Chilean, as he comfortably defeated the World No. 1 and top seed 6-2 6-3.
“It’s incredible. I came on court just looking around and soaking it all in, trying to process everything. I’m trying to wake up right now,” said Tabilo after his win.
Djokovic, the Italian Open 2024 odds favourite, found himself in the headlines of the tournament for an off-the-court incident that might have affected his play against Tabilo.
The six-time champion in Rome was signing autographs after his second-round win over Coretin Moutet when a metal water bottle fell out of a fan’s backpack and unfortunately landed directly on Djokovic’s head.
“It was unexpected obviously,” Djokovic stated. “I wasn’t even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has really impacted me a lot. After that I got the medical care. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things. I managed to sleep OK. I had headaches.”
But the World No. 1 told reporters that he “didn’t know” if the water bottle incident affected his performance during his loss to Tabilo.
Ultimately, the 36-year-old Serb stated that he would undergo extra medical tests in relation to the incident.
A concerned Djokovic said, “The next day or yesterday was pretty fine, so I thought it’s OK. Maybe it is OK. Maybe it’s not. I mean, the way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s a bit concerning.”
Nadal joins Djokovic’s exit in Rome
Another living legend, Rafael Nadal, joins Djokovic to exit the Italian Open. The 10-time champion in Rome braved through Zizou Bergs 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the opening round of the tournament. That win reminded the tennis world that Nadal was still a force to be reckoned with despite his lengthy absence due to injuries.
Despite his statement win in the opening round, Nadal was simply overpowered by seventh-seeded Huber Hurkacz, who cruised past the former World No. 1 to a 6-1, 6-3 victory in the second round of the tournament.
It was a masterclass from the 27-year-old Polish, who finished with nine aces to route the 22-time Grand Slam Champion during their 93-minute match.
“I’m definitely really proud of myself,” Hurkacz said. “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.”
Hurkacz, who had a first-round bye, advances to the third round of the Italian Open to face the 25th-seeded Argentine, Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Meanwhile, Nadal, 37, proved that his surgically repaired hip, coupled with the decay brought by father time, doesn’t stand a chance against a top-10 player. Now, Nadal will need to dig deeper if he wants to be competitive in the French Open, a competition he’s won 14 times throughout his career.
The Spaniard stated that he has two options for Paris. “One is to say, ‘OK, I am not ready; I am not playing enough well,” Nadal said. “Another is accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks.”
The tennis world will just have to wait and see if the former World No. 1 graces the court in Paris on May 26.
Coco Gauff braves Badosa, books ticket to the quarterfinals
In other Italian Open 2024 updates, American Coco Gauff found herself in a hole during her Round-of-16 bout against Spaniard Paula Badosa. Badosa took the opener 7-5, and it looked like the Spaniard’s bid for an upset was gaining traction, but the 2023 U.S. Open champion simply refused to go down without a fight.
With her back against the wall, Gauff rallied, securing a 6-4 victory in the second set, then proceeded to thrash the inspired Badosa with a 6-1 win in the decider to secure the win and book her ticket to the quarterfinals.
Gauff is set to meet Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinal on May 14. Zheng claimed her spot in the semifinals by defeating crowd favourite Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-3 in the last 16.
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