Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the courtroom for the final time on Spanish clay after his loss to Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic throughout their Men’s Round of 16 matches on day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on April 30, 2024, in Madrid, Spain.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Twenty-two-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal fell 7-5 6-4 to Czech Jiri Lehecka within the fourth spherical of the Madrid Open on April 30, marking his last look at a match he has gained 5 occasions.
In simply over two hours, a feisty Lehecka thwarted Nadal’s hopes of reaching his a hundredth Masters 1000 quarter-final after a fairytale run in solely his second match since January because the Spaniard struggled with harm.
Nadal has mentioned 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 mentioned in an on-court interview in entrance 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’ve been lucky to flip my ardour into my job. I’m privileged,” he said before organisers honoured him with a trophy and unfurled banners paying tribute to his five Madrid titles.
With the score level at 5-5 in the first set, 30th seed Lehecka broke serve and then held his own to take the lead.
Breaking again in the first game of the second set, the 22-year-old secured the win to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev on May 2.
“It’s wonderful. For me to share the courtroom with such a legendary participant is a dream come true. I at all times wished to have this occur. I’m very grateful to obtain such a giant second,” Lehecka said.
“All one of the best to Rafa. It’s form of bittersweet to have such a pleasant win in entrance of all these individuals cheering for him. The power was wonderful, it was like I used to be in one other universe. This was one thing I’ve by no means skilled earlier than in my life on a tennis courtroom.”
