The tennis scene could soon witness the return of the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal, to the clay courts of Madrid. The tournament director has rolled out a special invitation for the five-time champion, further fueling the anticipation for his return. Nadal, who has been largely out of the public eye since his retirement from professional tennis in November, has been offered a chance to participate in the Masters 1000 in Madrid.
Feliciano Lopez, the tournament boss and former tennis player, hinted that Nadal could make an unexpected appearance at the Madrid Open. It’s worth noting that Nadal has only made one tennis-related appearance post-retirement, as a Saudi tennis ambassador at the Next Gen ATP Finals in December.
The Madrid Open, one of Nadal’s home tournaments, holds special significance for the 22-time Major winner. Known for his exceptional prowess on clay courts, Nadal is also scheduled to make a comeback at the French Open, the most successful tournament of his career, for a special ceremony.
Lopez, a former world No. 12 and the current head of the Masters 1000 in Madrid, shares a strong rapport with Nadal from their years of representing Spain at the Davis Cup. He expressed his fond hopes of seeing Nadal return to the Madrid Open, which he referred to as Nadal’s “home”. Lopez went on to extend an open invitation to Nadal, stating that he could attend without advance notice.
Nadal’s previous stint at the Madrid Open last year was nothing short of magical. He managed to upset No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur, advancing to the round of 16, and was honored with a heartfelt ceremony when he eventually lost to Jiri Lehecka.
Reflecting on this experience, Nadal expressed his deep gratitude and affection for the game and the people of Madrid. He reminisced about his first competitive visit to Madrid in 2005, which resulted in one of the most exhilarating victories of his career, and the unconditional support he has received from the city since then.
In a jovial remark, Nadal had hinted at his return to the Madrid Open, stating he would “be back next year”. As the tennis world waits with bated breath, it remains to be seen whether Nadal will accept Lopez’s offer and return to the Caja Magica in April.