'Shows his greatness': Rafa Nadal's unseen moment after shock loss

Rafael Nadal has been praised for an incredibly classy gesture amid the heartbreak of his shock loss in Monte Carlo.

The King of Clay suffered his first loss in Monte Carlo in four years on Saturday when he was stunned by Fabio Fognini in straight sets.

The World No.2 looked shattered by the atypical performance on his preferred surface, but still found the time to make some fans happy as he was walking off court.

Nadal stopped and signed some autographs on his way to the locker room – a small gesture but not one a lot of players would have produced after a loss.

Former player and now-pundit Daniela Hantuchova praised the classy act.

“That’s what he does all the time,” she told Amazon Prime.

“I don’t ever remember him not stopping for anyone asking for autographs.

“That just shows his greatness.

“Didn’t we say a few days ago that beating Nadal on clay in Monte Carlo was probably the toughest task in sport in general.”

Fognini’s stunning 51-year first

After sending Nadal packing, Fognini became the first Italian man to win a Masters 1000 title in 51 years, defeating Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 in the final.

The 13th seed, based just 20 kilometres over the border in San Remo, followed on from compatriot Nicola Pietrangeli, who watched his record fall from the royal box at the Monte Carlo Country Club.

Pietrangeli won the trophy in the principality in 1961, 1967 and 1968.

He came to the court after the trophy ceremony to pose for pictures with his new tennis heir, who was following up his shock semi-final win over 11-time Monte Carlo champion Nadal.

“I was born nearby so this is extraordinary,” Fognini, 31, said.

“I started the season rather badly, so this is unbelievable. I’m very content with this victory, especially with all of the Italians here today.”

with agencies