On what is likely his farewell tour on the tennis circuit, Rafael Nadal probably played his last professional match on home soil. Nadal, who burst into the scene at 14, has etched his name in tennis history (and in every fan’s heart) over the past couple of decades. And as the most successful player to ever play the Madrid Open, with five titles to his name, how could Manolo Santana Stadium let him go without bidding adieu? “This is a joke. Next year, I’m coming back!” he remarked. But most everyone knew that a large part of it was real.
Overcoming his Barcelona demons, where he lost to Alex de Minaur, Rafa avenged his defeat in Madrid, beating the Australian in the Round of 64. But two rounds later, the Spaniard bowed out against Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, 5-7, 4-6. However, right after his final match on the Spanish clay was over, emotional scenes unfolded.
It may not have been Rafa’s day on court, but it was his day in Caja Mágica. The net was disassembled, the mics were prepared, and the 22-time Grand Slam champion stepped back into the spotlight to reflect on his Madrid memories. As he did that, Gladiator’s theme song, ‘Now We Are Free,’ rang through the stadium, perfectly encapsulating the Spaniard’s never-back-down attitude. And that was enough to have every pair of eyes in the stands well with tears, which included his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, and sister, Maria Isabel Nadal, aka Mariabel.
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Singles tennis may look like an individual sport, but achieving everything you set out to do without your team’s backing is close to impossible. And Rafa’s family, his team – they’ve been there since Day 1. From watching Nadal grow up on the Mallorcan clay courts to becoming the most feared player on clay, they’ve seen it all. And although Rafa may have joked about coming back next year, seeing how emotional those closest to him were all but confirmed that this was indeed his last outing on home soil.
Just like everyone, it was a difficult moment to digest for Nadal as well. “This is one or those times where when it arrives, it’s very difficult… 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,” said Nadal in the on-court interview.