Rafael Nadal departed Court Philippe-Chatrier possibly for the final time after doubles defeat in the Olympic quarter-final.
It was both a sorry and beautiful sight as Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz embraced in defeat as American specialists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek convincingly shut the door on this Olympic fairytale.
Seeded fourth and with major doubles titles each, the American duo looked better organized as they cruised rather comfortably past the dynamic but unpolished Spanish duo.
While Nadal has an Olympic doubles medal to his name from 2016, the 38-year-old is unfortunately beyond his best.
After he was thumped by former nemesis Novak Djokovic in the singles, the Spaniard’s days on court feel numbered, with his appearance even just at the Paris Olympics, somewhat surprising.
With a mournful trudge off court, and after Nadal revealed that his retirement decision is still yet to be made, the end feels nigh.
Tennis fans have slowly been accepting Rafael Nadal’s imminent retirement
While it feels likely that Wednesday was Nadal’s final time on Court Philippe-Chatrier, his fans have been left distraught at the prospect of their favorite player hanging up his racquet.
One fan simply reflected: “I’m not ready for this,” as another in disbelief simply said: “Please not yet.”
Another said: “He has achieved enough to have the right to decide when to retire! He will be missed.”
One emotional fan said: “It would break my heart so much more if he would decide to retire with him not enjoying tennis anymore, now at least I know that if this is the end he did enjoy his last months of being a pro.”
The end of the greatest tennis era is upon us
Djokovic has felt second-best in the last few months, with Alcaraz sweeping up the French Open and retaining his Wimbledon title against the Serb.
With Andy Murray’s Olympic fairytale still somehow extending, with seven match points so far having been saved, his career is coming to a conclusion whenever somebody decides to actually take one.
Roger Federer’s been out the picture for several years now, with the Swiss maestro enjoying his seats in the Royal Box.
Nadal has hardly gone out with a whimper, despite being outclassed in both his Olympic defeats, as the Spaniard now gets to take a well-earned breather.
While many never get the joy of going out on their own terms, his partnership with Alcaraz has been nothing but joyous and exciting, so it is painfully, sadly, and regrettably over, Nadal has the rare opportunity of going out on a high.
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