Rafael Nadal bids emotional farewell to Madrid fans: 'It's been unforgettable'

Nadal was presented with 5 banners commemorating the titles helium won implicit 10 years betwixt 2008 and 2017 and a peculiar trophy from tourney manager Felicano Lopez aft losing his fourth-round lucifer to Jiri Lehecka soon aft midnight nether a closed extortion connected the Caja Magica. This lone served to amplify the fervent cheers of Spanish fans during the two-hour battle.

What meant astir to the 37-year-old, 36-time ATP Masters 1000 champion was the heartfelt applause of his fans and the tears shed by household members successful his players' box.

Reflecting connected his farewell, Nadal expressed mixed emotions, stating that a fewer weeks agone helium didn't cognize if helium would vie successful an authoritative lucifer again.

"It's been a precise peculiar week for me, precise affirmative successful galore ways, some personally and for my tennis. I had the accidental to play again connected the court. A fewer weeks ago, 2 days earlier Barcelona, I didn't cognize if I would vie successful an authoritative lucifer again and I've present played for 2 weeks. It's been unforgettable," Nadal said connected the tribunal arsenic quoted by ATP.

"The lone happening I tin accidental is 'thank you'. It's been an unthinkable travel that started erstwhile I was little. I came to Madrid for the archetypal clip successful 2003, erstwhile the tourney was played indoors. The archetypal clip I came present feeling competitory was successful 2005. It was 1 of the astir breathtaking wins of my career, inactive indoors. Ever since the enactment has been unconditional from everyone. I cannot convey you enough," helium added.

In an effort to scope his 100th ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal, Rafael Nadal looked up astatine the unfolded banners commemorating his 5 victories from 2008, '10, '13-'14, and '17, which made him deliberation astir the magnitude of his career.

"Looking astatine the pictures [on the banners], immoderate of them look similar they were a beingness ago. All I tin bash is convey everyone who has helped maine successful my career. Even though it's not over, this is the past clip I'll beryllium successful Madrid. You person fixed maine a acquisition for the past 21 years that's much important than immoderate Grand Slam I person won. The emotions of playing successful Madrid, successful beforehand of the Spanish fans, is thing that volition enactment with maine forever," said the Spaniard.

"I've been fortunate capable to beryllium capable to bash a hobby arsenic my job, and to bash it exceptionally well. I consciousness truthful fortunate to person had each these experiences. I couldn't inquire for more. I anticipation I've acceptable a affirmative illustration for the caller generations. That's the astir important thing. Titles and sporting moments are exciting," helium added.

Nadal expressed gratitude for the memories the crippled and the supporters had provided him implicit the years. His attraction present shifts to the Olympics (where helium has hinted astatine doubles tally with Carlos Alcaraz), the Laver Cup, Roland Garros (assuming helium thinks his assemblage tin grip the rigours of five-set tennis), and the Masters 1000 successful Rome adjacent week.

"Sport generates excitement and emotion. I person experienced it arsenic a fan. From what I tin see, I anticipation that I've created excitement and emotion for each of you. The lone happening I tin accidental is 'thank you'. That's each I tin say. That's however I feel. It was 1 of those days that are hard erstwhile they arrive. I deliberation that beingness and my assemblage person been sending maine messages for immoderate clip that this time had to come," helium said.

"I've been fortunate to bash it astatine 1 of the places that has been the astir affectional for me. Thank you. I'd similar to convey Feli, Gerard and Jon, and everyone who made it imaginable for the tourney to beryllium played successful Madrid. It's astonishing for each the Spanish players and I'm definite the adjacent generations volition proceed to bask the ambiance here. Thank you truthful overmuch everyone for helping maine person this moment," the 37-year-old added. (ANI)

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Published: 01 May 2024, 07:21 PM IST