CGTN Sports Scene | Madrid's goodbye to Nadal - archive of emotional farewell｜Madrid Open｜ATP 1000｜Tennis｜Spain @cgtnsportsscene | Uploaded October 2024 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
On 30th April 2024, Rafael Nadal's spirited run at his final Madrid Masters came to an end with a 7-5, 6-4 defeat by Jiri Lehecka in the last 16.

Following the match, a ceremony took place which celebrated the previous success the Spaniard has had at the tournament, as five banners - one for each year he has won the title - were unfurled before a tribute video was played to those inside Manolo Santana.

He was also presented with a commemorative trophy by Gerard Tsobanian, CEO, and Feliciano Lopez, Director, of the Madrid Open.

Nadal announced his impending retirement from tennis on Thursday at the age of 38 after winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

Nadal said he will retire after next month's Davis Cup finals.

He indicated his decision was related to persistent injury problems.

Nadal has not played since the Paris Olympics, where he lost to old rival Djokovic in the second round of the singles tournament and reached the quarter-finals of the men's doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.