Rafael Nadal is the most successful player in Madrid Open history, with five titles, and footage of the Spaniard's routine before a match at the event has been released.
Nadal's return to Madrid for the first time since 2022 has felt like a proper homecoming. Celebrities and sports stars have flocked in numbers to watch him in action.
At the same time, his presence has been like a farewell party, with the Spaniard very much enjoying his last dance on home soil. The organizers are reportedly preparing for a special ceremony to celebrate his career once he has played his last match at the tournament.
Nadal will live to fight for another day after surviving a testing third-round match against World No. 91 Pedro Cachin, who threatened to cause the upset before the master broke his resistance and his spirit.
It is not the first and probably not the last time we see that scenario unfold on a clay court. Nadal has terrorized opponents on his believed court with his enormous topspin and agility. At his pomp, he was virtually unbeatable.
On Monday, the Madrid Open X account (formerly Twitter) revealed snippets of behind-the-scenes footage of what Nadal's day at the tournament looked like.
In the first episode, "The Prelude," Nadal arrives at the Caja Magica and unpacks his tennis essentials in the locker room. He then proceeds to a quick workout at the gym before carrying his tennis rackets to the practice court.
In the second episode, "Preparation," Nadal is greeted by hundreds of excited Spanish fans as he steps onto the practice courts to refine his game. At the end of the session, he meets a few of the lucky fans and cheerfully gives them an autograph.
In the third episode, titled "Readying Weapons," Nadal's babolat racket is strung meticulously in preparation for an official match. In the fourth episode, titled "Focus," the five-time Madrid champion attentively takes instructions from his coaching team, which includes Marc Lopez and Carlos Moya.
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