Rafael Nadal waves farewell as magical run in Madrid ended by magnificent Lehecka
Jiri Lehecka overcame Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 on an emotional night in Madrid. He goes on to face Daniil Medvedev, the No 3 seed, in the quarter-finals
Rafael Nadal loses in what is likely his last appearance at the Madrid Open Antoine Couvercelle / Pano
Rafael Nadal has made his final competitive appearance at the Madrid Open.
On an emotional night at the Caja Magica, the incomparable Spaniard was defeated 7-5, 6-4 by an inspired Jiri Lehecka to exit a tournament he has won five times for the final time.
It was an incredible performance from start to finish from Lehecka, who ultimately outplayed the 14-time Roland-Garros champion with a display not far off some of the all-time great clay-court showings.
While Lehecka’s official breakthrough came in 2022, this early victory may go some way to defining the trajectory and narrative of his career as he establishes himself as a truly exceptional player.
Tonight, however, was all about one man. Nadal ensured there was a packed attendance inside Manolo Santana for a match that started around 22:00 local time.
The jubilant Madrid crowd were vocal and passionate throughout, on a night that ultimately ended on a bittersweet and poignant note for all inside the arena as Rafa waved a final farewell to his home fans.
The match itself was a superb spectacle. The first set in particular was a very competitive and high-quality affair, with fast and furious rallies exhibiting excellent all-court tennis from the start.
brilliant match does justice to the size of the occasion
There were no break-point opportunities until the seventh game, when Nadal earned the first of the match after an untimely double-fault from his opponent.
Lehecka saved it well, however, and the rest of the opener went on serve until the eleventh game. An unexpectedly loose service game from the Spaniard led to three break points for the Czech, but he only needed one as he broke before clinically serving out to love for a one-set lead.
It was a sudden end to such a closely fought set, one which handed all the momentum to Lehecka. He used it to excellent effect, breaking again in the opening game of the second stanza to put the five-time champion in deep trouble.
As has defined the entirety of his historic and record-breaking career, however, the great Spaniard fought to the very last ball, staving off three break points on his serve to win a fourteen-minute third game as Lehecka applied relentless returning pressure.
The rest of the set went on serve, with Nadal forcing his younger opponent to face the test of serving out a momentous win in a cauldron of passionate Spanish emotion.
Yet, as he had done all match, Lehecka rose to the occasion. Despite losing the first point of that game, the Czech player was composure personified as he excellently served out the biggest win of his young career to knock out the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
manolo santana and rafael nadal wave farewell
“This is one or those times where when it arrives, it’s very difficult,” Nadal said, as he was offered the microphone to say a few words to his adoring crowd.
“But life and my body have been sending signals to me for a long time. My dream was to finish here on court. I have been fortunate in my life to turn my passion into my job. I am privileged.”
Both Rafa’s wife and sister were in tears in the stands as the reality of the situation dawned on all inside Manolo Santana, but Nadal wore his trademark beaming smile as the tournament orgnanisers unfurled (albeit with a few hiccups) five banners to celebrate the Spaniard’s five tournament wins in Madrid.
Lehecka, meanwhile, paid tribute to Nadal in his own post-match interview.
“It’s amazing,” the Czech player said.
“For me to share the court with such a legendary player is a dream come true. I always believed and wished to have this happen. It happened today.
“I’m very grateful to achieve such a big moment. But all the best to Rafa. It’s kind of bittersweet to have such a nice win in front of all these people cheering for him.
“The energy here was amazing, it was like I was in another universe. This was something I’ve never experienced before in my life on a tennis court.”
madrid open closes the curtain on an unforgettable era
Lehecka’s promising career has just grown that much brighter as he cements his place as a near-future leading player. The consistent ferocity and precision of his groundstrokes was just breathtaking. But his mental fortitude on such an occasion is an even more sure-fire sign that this is a man for the big stage.
Nadal, meanwhile, leaves Madrid for the final time with many positives to take, despite the obvious sadness.
He has fulfilled his dream of saying goodbye on the court here in Madrid, and he has put together four consecutive matches of very high quality without the body failing on him.
All this bodes extremely well for one last tilt at yet another miracle in Paris next month.
But, for now, as is understandably and necessarily the case, the day ends in Madrid a little sadder and heavier-hearted than it began.
