Nadal, who had been watching from the bench with the remainder of the Spanish workforce, hopped on to courtroom to console Alcaraz and Granollers.
Each regarded despondent as they sat with their heads bowed, listening to the victorious Dutch gamers celebrating reaching the semi-finals.
Many stayed within the 11,500-capacity Palacio de Deportes enviornment, chanting “Rafa, Rafa, Rafa” for one ultimate time as they waited for Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp to conclude a post-match interview.
When the second got here for Nadal to take centre stage, he was given one other standing ovation and a spherical of applause lasting over a minute.
Nadal’s household, together with his spouse Mery, younger son Rafael junior, dad and mom Ana Maria and Sebastian and sister Maribel, have been current within the stands.
Lengthy-time members of his backroom workforce wore T-shirts depicting the emblem of the ‘Raging Bull’ which turned his moniker, impressed by his indomitable combating spirit.
After ending a heartfelt speech in Spanish, the principle lights dimmed and a highlight surrounded Nadal.
He stared on the courtroom for a number of moments, chewing his lip as he fought again the tears.
The subsequent a part of the celebration was a video montage of profession highlights and private messages from sporting superstars, together with tennis legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Andy Murray, together with footballers David Beckham, Andres Iniesta and Raul, and golfer Sergio Garcia.
One other elongated spell of applause adopted earlier than he walked off the courtroom, blowing kisses on the way in which, for the ultimate time as knowledgeable participant.
