On Tuesday, Tennis legend Rafael Nadal said farewell to fans at the Mutua Madrid Open, which he won five times during his grand career.
🧡🧡🧡 G R A C I A S, R A F A 🧡🧡🧡 @RafaelNadal | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/6Rfxs5nMsY
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 30, 2024
After losing his fourth-round and 2-hour battle to Jiri Lehecka shortly after midnight, the Spanish legend was feted with five banners marking the titles he won during a 10-year span between 2008-17 and a special trophy from tournament director Felicano Lopez.
It was his final time to dance on the clay courts of Madrid.
Rafa Nadal says saying goodbye to Madrid was emotional, but his career keeps going, ‘I have my personal goals in the next couple weeks & I want to explore if I have any chance to achieve them’
“When you came here a week ago, could you have dreamed of playing this well? Now that… pic.twitter.com/eAh4yuUxQu
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 1, 2024
Rafa said: “It’s been a very special week for me, very positive in many ways, both personally and for my tennis."
Rafa Nadal is given a guard of honour as he bids farewell to the Madrid Open for perhaps the final time. He won the men's singles title five times but was beaten this evening by Jiri Lehecka in the round of 16.
What a legend. ❤️#BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/ARdO7B2gC7
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 30, 2024
He added: “I had the chance to play again on court. A few weeks ago, two days before Barcelona, I didn’t know if I would compete in an official match again and I’ve now played two weeks. It’s been unforgettable.
How it started 🆚️ How it ended pic.twitter.com/SbUdSbotZm
— ً (@nadalprop_) April 30, 2024
“The only thing I can say is ‘thank you’. It’s been an incredible journey that started when I was little. I came to Madrid for the first time in 2003, when the tournament was played indoors. The first time I came here feeling competitive was in 2005. It was one of the most exciting wins of my career, still indoors. Ever since, the support has been unconditional from everyone. I cannot thank you enough.”
Gracias por tanto @RafaelNadal ❤️
— Real Madrid Fans 🤍 (@MadridismoreaI) April 30, 2024
“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do a hobby as my job, and to do it exceptionally well. I feel so lucky to have had all these experiences. I couldn’t ask for more. I hope I’ve set a positive example for the new generations. That’s the most important thing. Titles and sporting moments are exciting.”
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