Rafael Nadal defeated Pedro Cachin in a thrilling third-round match at the 2024 Madrid Open, and the pair exchanged a profound embrace at the net.
It took Nadal the full three hours and three sets to deflate the inspired Cachin, who came to this year's Madrid Open without a single tour-level win. In fact, the Argentine's winless drought stretched to 15 matches, dating back to last season.
But stonking wins over Sebastian Ofner and Frances Tiafoe in the first week galvanized his confidence. Cachin came back from a poor first set in which he was broken three times by Nadal in 47 minutes to lose 1-6.
But he restored parity when he won the second-set tie-break. The third set was equally competitive as the second, with the two players exchanging quick early breaks before Nadal upped the ante.
From 2-2 in the decider, the five-time champion won four of five games to secure an impressive victory. After the match, the two players cordially embraced each other at the net, and you could tell that Cachin had longed for a moment like this with the 22-time Grand Slam champion at the net.
"You made my dream come true for me, thank you. It’s not how the protocol is, but can I get your shirt, towel or something?"
It's not often that the vanquished opponent can ask for a memento from a player who has just beaten him, but Cachin is aware that this was a special match and perhaps the only time he will get to share a match court with Nadal.
Nadal duly obliged and honored Cachin's request. After saluting the crowd for cheering him every step of the way, the 37-year-old dashed to pick up one of his spare shirts and walked over to hand it to the Argentine, who will surely keep it in his personal safety box for the rest of his life.
A video of Nadal's classy gesture can be seen below.