“It’s a difficult day, but my body is giving me a signal that I should stop," the 37-year-old said after his defeat to Jiri Lehecka at the Mutua Madrid Open. “My dream was to finish here on court."

Nadal’s body withstood its toughest test yet at this Madrid Open in a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 win over 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday.

Nadal may have claimed the win for a spot in the fourth round, but it was the Argentine who walked away with the souvenir of a lifetime.