The tennis world was left in a state of melancholy as Rafael Nadal competed in his final match on home soil at the Madrid Open. The legendary Spaniard was defeated in two sets by 31st-ranked Czech star Jiri Lehecka, with a score of 5-7, 4-6 in the round of 16. This event holds special significance for Nadal, as he has emerged victorious here five times in the past.
The stadium was overwhelmed with emotion as Nadal’s family, including his wife and sisters, were pictured in tears, alongside many other fans. The 22-time grand slam champion was given the opportunity to address the crowd and bid them a heartfelt farewell. While Nadal has not officially announced his retirement, it is widely expected that this year will mark the end of his illustrious career.
In a poignant speech in Spanish, Nadal expressed, “This is one of those times where when it arrives, it’s very difficult.” He acknowledged the signals that his body and life have been sending him, indicating that his time as a professional tennis player is drawing to a close. Despite the emotional atmosphere, the esteemed 37-year-old managed to lighten the mood with a joke, teasing, “This is a joke, next year I’m coming back.”
His opponent, Lehecka, who was a young four-year-old when Nadal clinched his first grand slam title in 2005, expressed his admiration for the tennis icon. He described the experience of sharing the court with Nadal as a dream come true and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. Despite his victory, Lehecka acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the occasion, recognising the overwhelming support for Nadal from the crowd.
Nadal was given a touching send-off by the spectators, with a standing ovation and a guard of honour as he left the Estadio Manolo Santana for the final time. The Tennis Letter captured the sombre yet celebratory moment, describing it as, “A king leaving his kingdom.”
In other matches at the Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, triumphed after a gruelling three-hour battle against Jan-Lennard Struff. Alcaraz displayed resilience and determination despite experiencing physical challenges towards the end of the match. He will advance to the quarter-finals, aiming to secure a historic third consecutive Madrid Open title.
Additionally, top-seeded Jannick Sinner and several other competitors delivered impressive performances at the event. Developing storylines include Francisco Cerundolo’s upset victory over two-time champion Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev’s resilient performance against Alexander Bublik.
As the Madrid Open continues, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the unfolding of further thrilling matches and the crowning of a new champion at this prestigious tournament.