MADRID – At the end of his match on April 30, Rafael Nadal stood on court, controlling his emotions as he received a special presentation that was fitting for one of the greatest players tennis has ever seen.
Madrid Open organisers unfurled five banners from the closed roof picturing the 37-year-old’s record five wins at the tournament, as Spanish fans paid tribute to their beloved star.
For the man in the spotlight, Nadal bade an emotional farewell to one of his favourite events after crashing out in the last 16 to Jiri Lehecka in what was his last-ever appearance in this competition.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion bowed out 7-5, 6-4 to the 30th-seeded Czech but was grateful, nonetheless.
“I’m happy. It was a very special week for me, very positive and very emotional. I had the opportunity to play one more time here on this court,” he said in his on-court interview.
The Spanish veteran has not decided when he plans to hang up his racket this season but the former world No. 1’s retirement is fast approaching.
Numerous physical issues have hampered him over the past two years and he will make the call on whether he will compete at Roland Garros later in May.
Madrid Open organisers took the chance to hold a special ceremony after his match, with the banners also containing the words “Gracias Rafa” in their appreciation of Nadal.
“This was a joke, because I’ll be back next year,” quipped Nadal, his family watching on from the stands. “All I can say is thank you to everyone that has helped me in my career. It hasn’t finished yet.
“It has been a gift what you’ve given me here. The emotion that I get from this experience in Madrid, from the Spanish public... I was lucky as a kid to do the job that I love. I have been fortunate to turn my passion into my job.
“I am privileged, I feel super fortunate to have lived the life that I’ve lived. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Nadal also said Rome, where he won 10 titles and where the tournament starts on May 8, was also emotional for him.
“That’s another very special tournament in my career,” he said.
“I dreamt to play all these tournaments that I had success one more time. I missed Monte Carlo, unfortunately, that is one of the most special for me, but Rome is one of these ones that I enjoyed a lot playing there.”
Lehecka, through to the second Masters 1000 quarter-final of his career, said that it felt “bittersweet” to beat Nadal in his last appearance in Madrid.
“It’s amazing for me, to share the court with such a legendary player is a dream come true. I always wished to have this happen. I’m very grateful to achieve such a big moment,” the 22-year-old Czech said.
“All the best to Rafa, it’s bittersweet to have such a nice win in front of all these people, everyone cheering for him.”
Lehecka’s next opponent will be third seed Daniil Medvedev, who completed his full set of Masters 1000 quarter-finals reached by defeating Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz, who extended his Madrid Open winning streak to a record-equalling 14 matches by beating Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4), to reach the quarter-finals, saw his title defence come to an end.
The Spaniard lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Russia’s Andrey Rublev on May 1.
Top-seeded Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, overcame Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his fourth Masters 1000 quarter-final in as many events this season.
The reigning Australian Open champion will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5, for a place in the semi-finals. AFP, REUTERS
