By Jiri Lehecka ‘Emotional’ Rafael Nadal crashes out of Madrid Open | tennis news

Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell to the Madrid Open on Tuesday as he lost to Jiri Lehka in the last 16 in the Spanish star’s last appearance at the tournament. The 37-year-old 22-time Grand Slam singles champion – winner of a record five Madrid Open titles – lost to 30th-seeded Czech Lehka 7-5, 6-4. “I’m happy. It was a very special week for me, very positive and very emotional. I had the opportunity to play on this court one more time,” Nadal said in his on-court interview.

Nadal has not yet decided when he plans to hang up his racket this season, but the former world number one’s retirement is approaching.

A number of physical problems have troubled him over the past two years and he will decide later this month whether he will compete at Roland Garros.

A special ceremony was held at the Manolo Santana Stadium after Tuesday’s match, with banners bearing the words “Gracias Rafa” hung above the stands and denoting the years in which Madrid won the tournament.

“It was a joke, because I’ll be back next year,” Nadal quipped, his family watching from the stands. “All I can say is thank you to everyone who has helped me in my career. It’s not over yet.

“What you have given me here is a gift. The feeling I got from this experience in Madrid, from the Spanish public… I was lucky as a child to find work that I love. I feel very fortunate to have lived the life I have, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Lehka, who reached the second Masters 1000 quarterfinal of his career, said it felt “bitter-sweet” to defeat Nadal in his last appearance in Madrid.

“It’s amazing for me, it’s a dream come true to share the court with such a great player,” Leheka said.

“Good luck to Rafa, it’s a bit bittersweet to get such a good win in front of all these people, with everyone cheering for him.”

Earlier in the day, second seed Carlos Alcaraz extended his Madrid Open winning streak to a record 14 with a 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4) win over familiar rival Jan It was increased to the level of Rs. Lennard Struff reached the quarterfinals.

Top seed Jannik Sinner meanwhile defeated Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 to reach her fourth Masters 1000 quarter-final in as many events this season.

The reigning Australian Open champion will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5, for a place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, third seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to complete his full set of Masters 1000 quarter-finals.

Swiatek fights back

On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek had to sweat it out in a 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 win over Brazilian lefty Beatriz Haddad Maia as she lost her first set of the tournament and needed two and a half hours to reach the was required. Second consecutive Madrid semi-final.

Swiatek lost the first set after giving up a 4-1 lead, but the world number one fought back and cut down on her mistakes to take the next eight games.

The 22-year-old Swiatek won four of her last five games to book a place in the last four where she will face 18th seeded American Madison Keys.

“I needed to stick to my strategy, because in the first set I started making a lot of mistakes. I started playing too fast,” Swiatek said.

“I really needed to get back to basics and what I wanted to play today. It took me a little while, more than usual, but I’m glad it happened even after the set.”

The 29-year-old Keys came back from 0-6, 0-2 down to defeat 2022 champion Ons Jabeur 0-6, 7-5, 6-1. She ended the Tunisian’s nine-match winning streak in Madrid and reached her first semi-final at the Caja Mágica in her 10th appearance.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)