Emotional and tearful farewell: Madrid says goodbye to its favourite - Nadal: My body is sending me a message, thank you for everything!

(Patria) - It was an emotional night last night when Rafael Nadal was defeated by Czech Jiri Lehecka in the third round of the Madrid Masters in two sets, 7:5, 6:4.

Lehecka celebrated by breaking the former five-time champion of this Masters in the penultimate game of the first set and the first game of the second set.

The Czech tennis player's first serve served him excellently, and Rafa practically had no serious chance to break back.

On the other hand, Nadal had problems with almost every one of his service games and struggled greatly to stay in the match.

After the match, a small farewell ceremony was organised for the former champion in Madrid, for whom this was evidently his last appearance in the Spanish capital, where he first participated in the tournament a full 19 years ago.

🤞🏼🎾 Por y para siempre.

Rafael Nadal Parera.pic.twitter.com/MTF1q8pBBX

— Offsider (@Offsider_ES) April 30, 2024

Nadal's eyes welled up with tears, and there were many in the stands who cried.

"This is a joke, I'll be back next year," Rafa began his speech, making the audience, most of whom were crying, laugh.

"A tough day for me, but life and my body have sent me signals that it's the right time. I can only thank everyone who helped me in my career at some point. It's not over yet, but here it is. It's a gift you've given me for 21 years. Madrid was more important to me than a Grand Slam. The emotions of Madrid will stay with me forever. I was lucky enough to turn a hobby into a job and do it well, and I ask for nothing more," said Nadal.

Nevertheless, at the end, Nadal announced that he plans to play in Rome.

"I want to play in Rome. I will work hard to make that happen. It's one of the most important tournaments in my career, I've won it 10 times," concluded the legendary Spaniard.