22-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal waved an emotional farewell at the Madrid Open after losing straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round on April 30. Nadal lost 7-5, 6-4 to Jiri Lehecka in the tournament. It was like his last match at the tournament in the Spanish capital. Amid Chants of ‘Rafa, Rafa, Rafa' from the audience, the five-time Madrid champion appeared to be saying goodbye to the tournament, possibly for the last time.
“This is a difficult day when it arrives, but it's a reality. My body and my life had been sending me signs for some time. I was able to say goodbye playing on this court, one of the most emotional ones for me. Madrid at times has been more important to me than a Grand Slam. The memories here will stay with me forever,” Nadal said in the post-match presentation.
Nadal's wife and sister tore up during his emotional Madrid exit
Following the match, the tournament organisers unfurled five banners commemorating Nadal’s titles from 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017. They also showed a video of his highlights left his wife and sister in tears in the stands.
“It's been a gift what you've done for me during the 21 years that I've played here,” said the 37-year-old Nadal, a winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles. “All I can say is thank you.'”
Rafael Nadal left Madrid more confident about his fitness than when he arrived. Now, he is planning to continue his season in Rome as he gears up for the French Open, which begins on May 26. Despite a straight-set defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the Madrid Open, Nadal was optimistic about his performance following a recent injury hiatus.
I want to play well in Rome: Rafael Nadal
Notably, Nadal, who has won 10 Rome titles, said he wants to explore more and Rome is another very special tournament in his career.
“Today is unforgettable day in terms of saying goodbye, Madrid. But my career keeps going, and I have my personal goals that I have got in the next couple of weeks, and I want to explore if I have any chance to achieve that. That's another very special tournament in my career. I want to play well there (in Rome). I want to be competitive. I want to give myself a chance to play good tennis, and I'm gonna keep working hard to try to make that happen,” 37-year-old Rafael Nadal concluded.
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