(Reuters) – Twenty-two time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal fell 7-5 6-4 to Czech Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday, marking his final appearance at a tournament he has won five times.
In just over two hours, a feisty Lehecka thwarted Nadal’s hopes of reaching his 100th Masters 1000 quarter-final after a fairytale run in only his second tournament since January as the Spaniard struggled with injury.
Nadal has said he expects to retire after the 2024 season.
“I’m happy. It was a very special week for me, very positive in every way. I was able to play again on a court that has given me a lot, also on an emotional level,” the 37-year-old Nadal said in an on-court interview in front of an emotional crowd.
“It has been unforgettable, and I can only say ‘thank you’. It has been an incredible journey. It’s very difficult, but life and my body have been sending signals to me for a long time.
“I have been fortunate to turn my passion into my job. I am privileged,” he said before organisers honoured him with a trophy and unfurled banners paying tribute to his five Madrid titles.
Source: Reuters
Lehecka retired against Felix without finishing his madrid match. A lot of withdrawals and retirements on Rafa’s side of the madrid draw: Sinner, Medvedev, Lehecka, Mensik. Felix got lucky to make the madrid final without playing much. Alcaraz withdrew from Rome with an injury. Rafa, stay healthy and positive – you will have a great shot at Roland Garros!
Rafa is motivated to continue to get stringer and improve. I have a strong feeling that he will play at Roland Garros and have a strong shot at doing well and perhaps even winning the title again…a 15th title at RG! Vamos Rafa!
Sad for the withdrawals. Glad Rafa was not a part of those… We need an injury free Rafa this year.
Also, I’m really not surprised Lehecka got injured, after that monster game against Rafa where he served incredibly, something had to give.
It broke my heart to see you play the last match on your beloved Spain Madrid but l will see you in Rome vamos rafa your loyal fan of 23 year’s.
In life, there is a beginning and come an ending. Hoping that before this end, happy to see Rafa to have more priviledges to play esp RG. He got the know how, the means but need to be HEALTHY.
I am really looking forward to the next few weeks of tennis with Rafa back. I believe Rafa will continue to improve and get stronger. By the time Roland Garros arrives, Rafa will again emerge as the favorite to win it all. Vamos Rafa!
Me, too! I want to see Rafa get some more victories and hopefully another title/trophy before he finishes his tennis career.
A Beautiful tribute to A legend and champion like no other… I’m sure we’re all feeling the same way overwhelming sadness because we knew this day was Inevitable but also a huge amount of pride and appreciation for our beloved Rafa!
So true, I was so proud of Rafa and the wonderful response he got (so well deserved), but I also felt a great sense of sadness that he won’t be playing for too much longer. I’m just glad that at least for now he intends to continue on (till at least the Fall and the Laver Cup) – that way I can slowly get used to the idea that my favourite player will be leaving the game!
Gracias Rafa !!! J’ai savouré toutes les victoires mais pleuré aussi après les défaites mais le tennis m’a passionnée pendant 20 ans
A bientôt Rafa ! J’espère à RG
Rafa, I anxiously await to watch every minute you play on the courts this year. Your performance in Madrid was nothing short of amazing. Here’s hoping your body cooperates for the rest of the year and that you can practice the way you expect to practice. Vamos Rafa!
As Rafa said everything has a beginning and an end. And so it proved today. Credit to Lehecka for staying focused, calm , respectful to Rafa and playing a fantastic match. Unfortunately no one beats time and we saw how rafa has clearly slowed down but fought tooth and nail as he always has throughout his career. Thank you for the memories and everything Rafa. what a ride it was and it was privilege to watch you over the decades…🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏😢
Thank you for the joy you have given me throughout the years. You are beyond an amazing player, you are also an amazing human being. Ceremony well deserved for sure and throughout you were smiling looking very proud as you should be.
I feel privileged to have seen countless tournaments that you played in.
Very difficult to imagine tennis without you champion. Wishing you the best for Rome and maybe Paris.
A beautiful tribute ceremony. Rafa certainly felt the love of the crowd and he was so appreciative. Rather than being sad, he was smiling because, in his own words, he was thankful that he had the chance to say goodbye on court.
Credit to Lehecka who was powerful through and it was good to hear Rafa giving him full praise.
I love Rafa’s positivity reminding us that he hasn’t retired yet and still has personal goals. I really hope he can go out there and just enjoy the rest of the clay season.
Gracias, campeon Rafael Nadal.
I’m glad that I have more time to watch Rafa compete before he retires, but I realized today after watching the tribute to him after the match that I am going to be so sorry to see him leave this sport. I was fine until the camera panned to Rafa’s father tearing up and then his sister crying and Maria looking so sad. They know how much Rafa loves this game, loves to compete and even if it is time to hang it up after this season, it will still be tough. Having said that Rafa competed well today and hat’s off to Lehecka, who played a heck of a game. The good news is that Rafa is playing well and looks confident and healthy on court. On to Rome now and hopefully more victories!!!
Thank you for everything Rafa. You are an idol, a champion, a legend – on and off the court❤️
We love you.
Thank you so much Rafa!❤️🥹 I feel very lucky to see you again.🙏 What a beautiful ceremony at the end of the match, well deserved for an amazing champion.🎾👍🤩😍🥰
Thank you to Lauren too!😘