Marc Lopez has stated there was a specific reason that Rafael Nadal wanted to play a doubles match with him.
Nadal has recently made his long-awaited and eagerly anticipated return to the sport. The 22-time Grand Slam was sidelined for nearly a year with a hip injury that he sustained at last year's Australian Open.
The Spaniard made his return to the singles court with an impressive win against Dominic Thiem. Nadal played superbly against the Austrian, and surprised many with the level of his performance.
Before this, Nadal played a doubles match alongside his long-time friend Lopez. The pair lost in straight sets, but it was always going to be difficult for both to find a high level in their first matches in a long time.
Lopez had not played a professional match in more than 18 months. This is because he had retired from the sport after a great career at the 2022 Madrid Masters.
However, Nadal asked to play one match with his friend, with Lopez telling the ATP website why that was the case.
"I'd already retired, but also, when I retired Rafa said to me 'You played in Barcelona with Feli, in Madrid with Alcaraz, and I'd like us to play together one last time."
It is a nice touch by Nadal, and shows his class. He wanted to mark and celebrate his friend's terrific career achievements by being on court with him one more time.
Yet, although Nadal had mentioned the idea previously, Lopez was still shocked when the 14-time French Open champion brought it up again in pre-season.
"I wasn't expecting it, he mentioned it to me when we were practicing in Kuwait, that he'd like to play a doubles match before singles, and suggested we play together."
Nadal, who has revealed that he does not fear retirement, did not get the result he wanted alongside Lopez But seeing a singles and doubles legend competing together one more time was still a great moment.
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