Rafael Nadal gets emotional after Madrid Open defeat to Jiri Lehecka - WATCH

Former World No.1 and 22-time Grand Slamchampion Rafael Nadal was seen emotional on Tuesday (April 30) evening after hewas knockedout of the Madrid Open in his probable farewell tour. Nadal, likely to be playing in his final season on the ATPtour, was knocked outby Jiri Lehecka in the Madrid Open.The home favourite was beaten7-5, 6-4 in his final outing as banners of‘Thank You Nadal’graced the centre court. Leheckawill face Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the quarterfinal.

"This is a joke, next year I'm coming back!"

Never change, Rafael Nadal 🥺🤣@RafaelNadal #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/yWRkXdMouQ — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2024

Nadal bids farewell

After the defeat, a video of Nadal went viral as hewas seenthanking the crowd while walking out of the court. The Spaniard has been struggling with injuries lately and has not participated in a Grand Slam tournament since 2023. His injury issues forced him to miss out on the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open and his beloved French Open.

"I'mhappy. It wasa very specialweek for me,very positive and veryemotional. I had the opportunity to play one more time here on this court,"said Nadal on court.

In his illustrious tennis career, the 14-time French Open champion won five titles in Madrid and has 59 wins, themost by any player. He turns 38 in June and is already running out of legs due to persistent injury issues.

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A special ceremony was held at Manolo Santana Stadium after the match, with banners suspended above the stands with the words"GraciasRafa", signifying the years in which he won the Madrid tournament.

"It has been a gift whatyou'vegiven me here. The emotionthat Iget from this experience in Madrid, from the Spanish public…I was lucky as a kid to do the job that I love. I feel super fortunate to have lived the life thatI'velived. Icouldn'task for anything more,”an emotional Nadal added.

With the French Open starting at the end of the month,everyone’seyes will be on the tournamentwithNadal unlikely to be seeded.