Nadal defeats De Minaur and earns an extra life

What lies ahead for Rafael Nadal? On Saturday, amidst speculation about his farewell to the Madrid Masters 1000 and with the presence of Felipe VI to honor him, the Spaniard once again showcased his fighting spirit to secure a victory against Alex de Miñaur, the tenth seed. This unexpected win earned Nadal a spot in the round of 16, a round where his progress was not initially anticipated. He triumphed in a two-hour and two-minute battle and is set to compete in the round of 32 against Pedro Cachín on Monday. [Narrative and statistics (7-6 [6], 6-3)]

After his win against Darwin Blanch, Nadal had already announced that this tournament would be his last and had predicted he would be surprised by defeating his next opponent, the same man who defeated him last week in the second round of the Conde de Godó. Given this prediction, all preparations were quickly made to bid a fitting farewell to the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, a former world number 1, and a five-time tournament champion.

In an atmosphere reminiscent of a grand final, Nadal defied his own expectations. With his forehand reminiscent of his prime, he battled through a first set lasting one hour and 16 minutes, even conceding the first four set points before ultimately claiming the tiebreaker. The weight of his legendary status was felt by his Australian opponent.

Public support was evident

“Long live Rafa!”, “Long live the King”, “Long live Spain” echoed in an organized manner, with deafening support from a significant portion of the 12,500 spectators who filled the Manolo Santana court, sheltered from the rain by the retractable roof. Unfortunately, the indoor conditions did not favor Nadal, as his tennis thrives in outdoor and sea-level settings.

In his third match since sustaining an injury at the beginning of the year during the Brisbane tournament, Nadal not only focused on improving his physical condition but also exuded a competitive spirit. Encouraged by the crowd, he pursued a victory that could potentially mark a turning point in his preparations for Roland Garros. There is still much ahead of him, including efforts to increase the speed of his serve, which currently does not exceed 190 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, this victory, considering the tough opponent, the significant event, and the manner in which it unfolded, will undoubtedly bolster his morale. Gradually, Nadal is regaining his classic form.