Rafa Nadal’s run at the Masters 1000 in Madrid comes to an end: the Spaniard, after his success in the third set over Cachin, has to surrender against Jiri Lehecka, who beats him 7-5 6-4 in two hours and 3 minutes. The Czech advances to the quarter-finals, where he will find Daniil Medvedev, already rested for several hours after beating Korda in the morning. Prestigious victory for Lehecka, against a Nadal who is growing but still very far from his standards (by his own admission). Manolo Santana, who had trembled for a possible elimination of Alcaraz against Struff, has to accept the defeat of the best Spanish tennis player of all time.
THE MATCH
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The match is played in chess, without breaks and without opportunities to pass on the other’s serve, until the eighth game, which is the sliding door of Nadal’s match. The former world number 1 fails a break point (it will be the only one of the match) in the eighth game and Lehecka takes the lead. Everything seems to be headed towards the tie-break, but Rafa has an empty pass in the eleventh game, the one in which he gets everything wrong on serve (the volley in the corridor is very heavy at 0-30). Break at 0 for Jiri, who when he serves for the set leaves no chance for the 5-time winner of the Madrid tournament.
THE END
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Rafa, under the eyes of many celebrities and with Cholo Simeone in the front row, is unable to stop the run of the Czech, who had closed the first set with a partial score of 10-0. Lehecka finds the break at 15 at the start of the set and it seems over, but Nadal avoids the double break in the third game, canceling a series of opportunities and closing the game after almost 15 minutes. It’s not enough, because Lehecka is amazing on his serves (he reaches peaks of 230 kilometers per hour on his serve). Jiri serves for the match at 5-4 and closes at the first opportunity, with Nadal sending a backhand down the corridor.
THE POST MATCH
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After the defeat against Lehecka, the whole center is at the feet of the legend Rafa, who takes the microphone and speaks to the public, after the last time here in Madrid. “It was a very positive week for me, I had the opportunity to play on this pitch which gave me so much. A few days before Barcelona I didn’t know if I could compete again. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve been coming here since 2003, it’s a tour that started when I was little and I remember with enormous emotion the first victory in 2005. I’ve always had incredible support from the public and I can’t help but thank you. When your body no longer gives you answers there is little you can do.” Nadal greets the Madrid crowd who are moved and Cholo Simeone also cries in the stands. The choreography that accompanies Rafa’s exit celebrates all the trophies won here in Madrid. It will be the last time here: but Nadal is forever.
Emotion
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Rafa continues talking and gets emotional thinking about all the successes in Madrid. “Playing in front of you for 22 years was something unforgettable. It was a dream for me to be able to make tennis my job. I feel privileged for everything I have had and I hope I have been a positive example for everyone. Trophies are important, but it is even more important to experience the emotions alongside you. It’s my last time in Madrid and my whole life passes before me. I can only say thank you. It was right to end up on the pitch.” Nadal closes by saying “hasta”, without closing the sentence. There are too many moments to talk about. And before leaving the field Feliciano Lopez gives him a special trophy, an award for his career. Yet another for a legend. Even though his time as a player is coming to an end, the emotions that tennis has given him are indelible. Rome and Paris will probably be the last 2 tournaments of his career and we have to enjoy it until the end.
