RAFAEL NADAL’S mum and sister broke down in tears as the legendary Spaniard very likely played in his home country for the final time.
Nadal, 37, has been on the comeback trail of late, having barely played since last year’s Australian Open.
Having been beaten by Alex de Minaur in round two of Barcelona a fortnight ago, the 14-time French Open champion arrived in Madrid with low expectations.
After beating 16-year-old Darwin Blanch for the loss of just one game, Nadal avenged his De Minaur defeat by beating the Aussie 7-6, 6-3.
He then triumphed in a three-hour epic against Pedro Cachin to set up a last 16 clash with Jiri Lehecka last night.
With the big-hitting Czech in inspired form, Nadal fell to a 7-5, 6-4 defeat to the 22-year-old.
Having struggled for fitness in the last 18 months, Nadal is very likely to retire from tennis later this year.
That would make this appearance in Madrid his final tournament in Spain, with the Masters 1000 event keen to celebrate their five-time champion.
Upon Lehecka sealing victory, five banners depicting each of Nadal’s Madrid victories were unfurled in the stands.
Having received a standing ovation from the 12,400-strong capacity crowd, Nadal waved before being interviewed on court.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
By Etienne Fermie
The King of Clay has dominated on the dirt for the last 20 years.
Nadal, 37, has won a previously unfathomable 14 French Opens, boasting an astonishing 112-3 win-loss ratio at Roland Garros.
He has also dominated at the clay court Masters 1000 events, winning 11 Monte Carlo titles, 10 times in Rome and a further five Madrid Opens.
While Nadal’s remarkable records on the dirt seem unlikely to ever be broken, his achievements on other surfaces are also not too shabby.
In an era sharing the court with the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the Majorcan won two Australian Opens, a pair of Wimbledon titles and four US Opens.
The Southpaw’s five-set 2008 Wimbledon final triumph over Federer is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches of all time, and arguably Centre Court’s most iconic occasion.
Nadal’s two-set comeback against Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final will also live long in the memory.
The King of Clay may be approaching the end, but absolutely nobody will want to draw him at this summer’s French Open.
He said: “It is very special for me. I have had the opportunity to play again on this court that has given me so much.
“When I left for Barcelona I did not know if I would be able to compete again. It has been an unforgettable week. Honestly the only thing I can do is give thanks.
“The first time I arrived competitively in Madrid, in 2005, it was one of the most exciting victories I have had.
“To this day it has only been unconditional support and affection from everyone. I can only say thank you.”
As has so often been the case throughout his illustrious career, Nadal was cheered on by his family courtside.
His sister Maria Isabel had tissues at the ready, welling up at the end of the match as a montage was played on the big screens.
She was comforted by mum Ana Maria, who was also visibly moved.
Nadal’s wife Mery was also watching on, with his one-year-old son Rafael Jr made an appearance in the stands after his win over Cachin.
The 22-time grand slam champion is next set to be in action in Rome, with the event kicking off on May 8.
He is also down to return to his old stomping ground Roland Garros, but has insisted that he will only play there if he feels he can be competitive.
After last night’s match he reflected: “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.”
Nadal has also spoken enthusiastically about the prospect of playing at the Olympics, which will be staged at Roland Garros, alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
He told the Iguales podcast: “Carlos doesn’t have to ask me anything, all things being well, we’ll play. It’s also hugely exciting for me. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve heard it is for him too.
“So it would be great to play the odd tournament before the Olympics to prepare ourselves and to get some rapport on court.”
Nadal has also signed up to play for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in Berlin in September.
