Telegraf's journalist at the Australian Open: Nadal is out, but the game continues

Photo: AP/Tanjug

As the eyes watch it unfold, the feeling tells one that they are about to witness something historic. The eyes are only there to confirm it. While you are wondering if this is possible, it is already happening. We live in a time when many things important for the ages are happening. For example, my eyes saw a wounded lion dying in front of hyenas, losing his kingdom, which was, in part, handed to him.

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Rafa Nadal has been eliminated. With such big moments, it is epic to watch the reactions of the audience. Everyone is living through Bajaga's short but deadly line from the song, "I believe, I don't believe." The director shortened the movie, giving the lead role to Mackenzie McDonald, the man who knocked out the reigning Australian Open champion in three sets.

There is nothing honorable in rejoicing in this result. It would have been good for Novak's fans if Nadal had turned out healthy, but a torment was on display here that one just waited to end.

He couldn't hit a backhand, he didn't run at the ball when it came from that side, he was doomed to either surrender or suffer defeat in front of a large crowd. The title will find a new owner.

Scenes very painful for an ordinary being. His wife crying, he grimaces every time he hits the ball, the audience hopes for an epic healing, and Spanish journalists are quietly making their way to the main conference room, walking in a row.

Love him or hate him, he proved with one sentence that he is a true and honorable fighter. He didn't want to give up as the current champion, he suffered until the end and finished this tournament in a fair way.

He didn''t look like the old one. Or, rather, there was another man in the third set. Down-to-earth, without many aspirations and arrogance, he was waiting to fall.

Well... We won't call it karma, he wasn't the one who decided last year that Novak couldn't compete at the Australian Open. Admittedly, he did not defend him, either, but he certainly took advantage of the situation and sat on the throne, which he will now hand over in agony.

What's next? He doesn't know either. The French Open is far away, the water from the spring and the dust of happiness, and anxiety is now a reality.

The arch-rival is still in the draw, he is by far the biggest favorite and ready to turn history in his favor. Such is the current situation and this water in the ears will stay as long as this other colossus is alive.

At the moment, Nadal can be happy only about his parenthood. It could be said that this was not a bad day, this was a bad half year, pretty bad.

Since August 18, Rafa has played 14 matches and lost, believe it or not, as many as eight. This did not happen to him when he was a junior.

Time goes on, it carries us, and it carries him, too. If we were eternal, we wouldn't count minutes and hours, probably everything would lose its meaning.

The legacy is huge, it is not forgotten, but the body looks at the clock and wonders which "tick" or "tock" will spell the end.

History, they say, is life's teacher, but Nadal will seek to bypass its lessons a little longer.

The plan has to be damn good.

It's not over until it's over.

Nadal is out, but the game continues...

It's Novak's move.

(Telegraf's reporter from Melbourne, Milos Becagovic)