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He is the player who inflicted the heaviest defeat of Rafael Nadal’s entire career beating him 6-0, 6-1

Rafael Nadal brought his tennis career to an end in 2024. The Spanish superstar was defeated by Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in his final-ever match at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Published: Monday, 12 October 2026 at 11:00 PM
He is the player who inflicted the heaviest defeat of Rafael Nadal’s entire career beating him 6-0, 6-1
Key Things to Know
  • Mikhail Youzhny handed Rafael Nadal the heaviest defeat of his career, winning 6-0, 6-1 at the 2008 Chennai Open.
  • Nadal struggled with fatigue after playing a nearly four-hour semifinal match against Carlos Moya before the final.
  • Youzhny called the victory a present from Nadal and subsequently reached the 2008 Australian Open quarterfinals.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Mikhail Youzhny handed Rafael Nadal the heaviest defeat of his career, beating him 6-0, 6-1 in the 2008 Chennai Open final. Nadal entered the title clash fatigued after a grueling three-hour, 54-minute semifinal win over Carlos Moya, and he conceded that he felt tired during the match against the Russian.

Despite the one-sided defeat, Nadal rebounded that season to capture Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, defeating Youzhny along the way in London. Youzhny also built on the Chennai victory by reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals, eventually rising to a career-high world ranking of number eight.

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