The king’s homage did not go smoothly. Two of the banners attached to the roof of Center Court proved unruly. When all five flags were finally rolled out, it said: “Gracias RAFA” – “Thank you RAFA.” Then a video with the best scenes of the folk hero, solemn music, wife and sister dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs. The audience in the “Caja Magica” chanted “Rafa! Rafa!”.
Rafael Nadal stood in the middle of the court, reverent and deeply moved by the farewell ceremony dedicated to him. “What you have given me is a gift,” he said to the audience. “I’m so lucky to be able to do what I love.”
Rafael Nadal was eliminated by Jiri Lehecka. Photo: AFP
The 37-year-old fought his way through the duels at the ATP Masters in Madrid for a week, defeated world number eleven Alex de Minaur (AUS) and fought his way into the round of 16 of his home tournament. There he ran out of energy on Wednesday night, the Czech Jiri Lehecka, 15 years his junior, won 7:5, 6:4 and said afterwards: “This victory feels bittersweet.”
The match was probably Nadal’s finale in his home country of Spain and thus also at the Madrid Masters, the ATP tournament on clay that he had won five times in his career, most recently in 2017. That it was the last time he played in Spain , was at least “very likely,” admitted Nadal.
Because the clay court king has long been on a farewell tour, and the emotional scenes in Madrid were probably just the first bow of many to the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Nadal had hinted at the end of his career several times this year and most recently said: “I would like to say goodbye when I am competitive and having fun on the court.”
Change settings
In recent years, the fun had increasingly given way to the pain. He missed almost the entire 2023 season due to a hip flexor injury. He returned in January, but shortly afterwards tore a muscle in his thigh and was out again. What’s next after the recent comeback?
The French Open begins on May 20th. Nadal has triumphed 14 times in Paris so far, a lonely record. “I’m not sure about anything. I don’t know what can happen,” said Nadal about a possible participation. The Masters in Rome begins in a week, after which he wants to decide.
Also read:
Why tennis legend Mats Wilander is always nervous in Luxembourg
The Olympic tennis tournament will also take place in Roland Garros at the end of July – according to Carlos Alcaraz, with his compatriot Nadal: “If everything goes according to plan, we’ll play doubles there,” said the third in the world rankings. It would be another highlight on Nadal’s farewell tour, announcing: “My journey with the racket in hand is not yet over.”