Rafa Nadal said goodbye to his fans in Madrid with a heartfelt match against Jiri Lehecka that ended in a loss in straight sets. This emotional moment marked Nadal’s likely last appearance in Madrid, as he had previously hinted.
The crowd in the Manolo Santana arena at the Caja Magica cheered on Nadal throughout the match. They displayed giant banners celebrating his past victories in the tournament when it became clear that this was his final goodbye to the Madrid crowd.
After the defeat, Nadal expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support over the years. He reflected on his long and successful career and thanked everyone who had been a part of his journey.
In other matches, Carlos Alcaraz fought hard to secure a win against Jan-Lennard Struff in a tough three-set battle. The young Spanish player showcased his resilience and determination in the face of a strong opponent.
However, Jannik Sinner faced a challenge in his match against Karen Khachanov, coming back from a set down to secure a victory. Sinner revealed that he was dealing with a hip injury that might impact his ability to continue playing in the next round.
Overall, the Madrid Masters provided thrilling matches and emotional moments as players battled for a spot in the quarterfinals. The competition was fierce, with top players like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz advancing to the next stage of the tournament.
