On what is likely his farewell tour on the tennis circuit, Rafael Nadal probably played his last professional match on home soil. Nadal, who burst into the scene at 14, has etched his name in tennis history (and in every fan’s heart) over the past couple of decades. And as the most successful player to ever play the Madrid Open, with five titles to his name, how could Manolo Santana Stadium let him go without bidding adieu? “This is a joke. Next year, I’m coming back!” he remarked. But most everyone knew that a large part of it was real.

Overcoming his Barcelona demons, where he lost to Alex de Minaur, Rafa avenged his defeat in Madrid, beating the Australian in the Round of 64. But two rounds later, the Spaniard bowed out against Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, 5-7, 4-6. However, right after his final match on the Spanish clay was over, emotional scenes unfolded.

It may not have been Rafa’s day on court, but it was his day in Caja Mágica. The net was disassembled, the mics were prepared, and the 22-time Grand Slam champion stepped back into the spotlight to reflect on his Madrid memories. As he did that, Gladiator’s theme song, ‘Now We Are Free,’ rang through the stadium, perfectly encapsulating the Spaniard’s never-back-down attitude. And that was enough to have every pair of eyes in the stands well with tears, which included his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, and sister, Maria Isabel Nadal, aka Mariabel.

Singles tennis may look like an individual sport, but achieving everything you set out to do without your team’s backing is close to impossible. And Rafa’s family, his team – they’ve been there since Day 1. From watching Nadal grow up on the Mallorcan clay courts to becoming the most feared player on clay, they’ve seen it all. And although Rafa may have joked about coming back next year, seeing how emotional those closest to him were all but confirmed that this was indeed his last outing on home soil.

Just like everyone, it was a difficult moment to digest for Nadal as well. “This is one or those times where when it arrives, it’s very difficult… but life and my body have been sending signals to me for a long time. My dream was to finish here on court. I have been fortunate in my life to turn my passion into my job. I am privileged,” said Nadal in the on-court interview.

Expressing the deep significance of the experience, Nadal said, “It is very special for me. I have had the opportunity to play again on this court that has given me so much.” Further, he reflected on his time in Barcelona, saying, “When I left for Barcelona, I did not know if I would be able to compete again. It has been an unforgettable week. Honestly, the only thing I can do is give thanks.” 

‘Fighting for every ball’ and ‘trying his best in every moment’ – These mantras, repeated countless times throughout his career, perfectly encapsulate Rafael Nadal’s relentless approach to the sport. Back in 2005, when Rafa stepped into Madrid, he defeated Ivan Ljubičić in the final, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6, to win the singles tennis title – his biggest indoor title to this day. That was back when even Masters tournaments featured the best-of-five sets format.

“The first time I arrived competitively in Madrid, in 2005, it was one of the most exciting victories I have had.” Nadal reminisced. “To this day, it has only been unconditional support and affection from everyone. I can only say thank you.” Even though Rafael Nadal couldn’t cap off his campaign in Madrid how he wanted to, he gave everything on the court. To make his last dance in the Spanish capital even more special, the organizers came up with something unique for the legend.

Rafael Nadal was felicitated at the Madrid Open after his loss

After providing so much entertainment to everyone at the Madrid Open for so many years, the organizers (unintentionally) returned the favor. To pay tribute to Nadal, the organizers unveiled five banners – one for each of his titles – that were supposed to roll down one after the other as the interviewer announced who the 37-year-old defeated in each final. But things didn’t go as smoothly as they’d hoped.

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As the echoes of the interviewer saying “2005” reverberated throughout the stadium, the banner didn’t unfurl fully. That was like a moment of comedic relief, slicing through the brimming emotion inside Manolo Santana Stadium. The 2010, 2013, and 2014 banners were executed to perfection, but 2017 met with the same fate as 2005. But in the end, they got there. And collectively, the message read, “Gracias RAFA.”

Following this, the tournament director, Feliciano Lopez, brought out a moment for the five-time champion, which read, “Gracias Rafa” as well. As he walked out of the stadium, he left behind a legacy that will be tough to match. But it’s one that’ll give everyone else that inspiration to try to match Rafael Nadal’s level of perfection on clay. The story isn’t over yet, though. The 22-time Grand Slam champion still has another clay-court Masters tournament to play, followed by the tournament that made him the undisputed ‘King of Clay’ – the French Open.