Rafael Nadal left the deafening Manolo-Santana stadium, passing a guard of honor made up of some of his close friends. Tuesday evening, his defeat (7-5, 6-4) against the Czech Jiri Lehecka sealed the end of his Madrid and undoubtedly Spanish history. The net was quickly dismantled once the game was over, the 37-year-old Majorcan was invited to the middle of the court for a tribute, which was not without a hitch.
After a short interview, five vertical canvases hanging from the high stand of the central court were unveiled, each corresponding to his five titles in the Madrid capital: 2005 (on hard court), 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017 (on clay). The first and last were stuck – which made Nadal laugh – but eventually appeared.
“The emotions I experienced playing in Madrid, in front of the Spanish public, I take them with me forever”
Then the Spaniard gave a speech to the audience present – some were in tears. “I have to thank you for supporting me so much throughout my career, which is not yet over. But it was my last here in Madrid. You have given me a gift all these years and perhaps it is more important than my victories, the emotions I experienced playing in Madrid, in front of the Spanish public, I take with me forever. »
Before the tournament directors, Gérard Tsobonian and Feliciano Lopez, presented him with a trophy for what he achieved in Madrid. And he left this center court one last time, bowing at length to the large crowd that remained after midnight.