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'It’s kind of bittersweet,' Jiri Lehecka explains what was it like to play against Rafael Nadal in front of the Spaniard’s home crowd

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated 5/1/24

Rafael Nadal possibly played his last match at the Madrid Open, where he is a five-time champion. On Tuesday (April 30), Jiri Lehecka ended Nadal’s run with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline on the Manolo Santana court to reach the quarterfinals.

That match was their first encounter and Lehecka felt the energy throughout his time on the court. Playing amidst loud cheers for the King of Clay, and beating him and thereby disappointing those passionate fans, was all bittersweet for the player from the Czech Republic. He admitted having never played in such an atmosphere, expressing how grateful he was when his dream came true by sharing the court with Nadal.

But all the best to Rafa. It’s kind of bittersweet to have such a nice win in front of all these people cheering for him. The energy here was amazing… it was like I was in another universe. This was something I'd never experienced before in my life on a tennis court. Jiri Lehecka said at the press conference

The 30th-seeded Czech will be playing his second ATP 1000 Masters quarterfinal against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. He has one title to his name this season, which was also his first ATP title, at the Adelaide International, where the 22-year-old beat Jack Draper.

Rafael Nadal reminisces about his first appearance in Madrid

Rafael Nadal turned pro in 2001 and four years later, he played his first match in Madrid and, in 2008, he won his first title. He then went on to lift the next four titles in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017. As the 2024 Madrid Open is expected to be his final one, an emotional Nadal reminisced about the time he came to Madrid for the first time.

The first time I arrived competitively in Madrid, in 2005, it was one of the most exciting victories I have had. To this day, there has only been unconditional support and affection from everyone. I can only say thank you. Rafael Nadal said after the match

Notably, before Lehecka, Nadal had not lost a single match to a player outside the Top 20 on clay since 2016, when Pablo Cuevas beat him in Rio de Janeiro. The 14-time French Open champion was eyeing his 100th ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal and his 60th win in Madrid.

Before Madrid, Nadal lost to Alex de Minaur at the Barcelona Open. That tournament was his first one after recovering from an abdominal muscle injury he suffered during the Brisbane International.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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