Rafael Nadal say goodbye forever to the red earth of Madrid. The Mallorcan phenomenon, to whom tennis owes an enormous portion of its distant and recent past, archives his career experience in the tournament which he has always defined as special – in which he achieved the greatest number of victories in single matches, 59, and which won five times – with defeat in the round of 16 against the 22-year-old Use Lehecka, number 31 in the ATP ranking.
Everyone stand for Rafa: this could only be the farewell returned by Madrid to his darling. Everyone standing in a celebration that mixed tears of emotion and gratitude. Among the myriad of statements addressed to Nadal in recent days, the words of Jannik Sinner who, during the press conference following the victory against Lorenzo Sonego, he did not skimp on the press room’s request to express his opinion towards Rafa.
Madrid’s tribute to Rafa Nadal
Standing ovation after the defeat: spontaneous, very long, moving. While the audience of the Magic Box celebrated his career with a celebratory choreography narrating his victories Madrid, the organization paid homage Nadal with a lifetime achievement trophy.
No one was ready, no desire to imagine that the epilogue could materialize in the round of 16 despite the 38 year old having made it abundantly clear that he was not in the best conditions to compete and that he wanted to be there at all costs due to the enormous affection he has received over the years.
It’s the last one Madrid Of Nadal, they are the last remnants of a probably inimitable journey: Rafa announced his presence in Rome (where he won ten times), after the Internationals he will dispel any doubts about Roland Garros. Bright eyes too Cholo Simeone, a Madrid. Nadal’s mother, Ana Maria, his sisters Maria and Isabel, and his wife Xisca were in tears. Evening of strong hearts as the notes of the Gladiator soundtrack echoed.
Nadal plays down: “I joked, I’ll go back to Madrid”
Rafa made you laugh. She gratefully thanked Nadal, and then tried to play it down: “It was a joke, because I’ll be back next year.”
Then, however, words followed which are the prelude to the swan song of one of the greatest protagonists of tennis, not only for the 22 slam put on the bulletin board but also for the empathy that has always been created with racket enthusiasts.
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“I say thank you to those who have helped me throughout my career. It’s not over yet. You gave me the gift of something special: the emotion given by Madrid, I was lucky to do the job I love, to have lived the life I lived.”
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Rafael Nadal posing with former tennis player and director of the Madrid tournament, Feliciano Lopez, as he presents him with a celebratory trophy for his five career victories
What Sinner said about Nadal
Also Jannik Sinner, and Madrid, took a stand. She never beat him Nadal: they crossed paths twice a year Roland Garros (2020 and 2021) and once a Roma (2021). The negative record, however, will never be a worry for the Italian. He spoke out and didn’t hold back at all. Speak about Nadal, per Jannik, it means telling one of the idols of all time. The South Tyrolean, after the victory against Sonego in his debut on the red of Madrid, he said several things about Rafa.
“It is special. For me he was a source of inspiration: for his character, his combativeness, for the fact that he never complained about anything. Rafa has had an impact like few others in this sport: for his mentality and the way he approaches matches and training, for his ability to get out of the difficulties of a match and emerge from critical situations. The way in which he continues to train makes it clear that he still has something to say, I hope that his body still assists him. I can only say that watching him play has always made me, and he continues to make me, happy”.
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