This has not been just any Godó Trophy. Accepting the passage of time as something irremediable does not protect against all nostalgia. There are farewells that mark more than others. And the one experienced in the current edition of the great Barcelona tournament can be considered the most important in its history. There was a time when Rafa Nadal seemed invincible to us. The champion of twelve Godós stepped onto the clay of the Real Club de Tenis de Barcelona leaving a giant’s footprint. The news was that he lost, not just a match but a set.

This time the Spaniard did not come to win but to say goodbye, competing with a dignity that lives up to his reputation. Winning is that too. Leave a good memory. Be a tennis player so that the public remembers you handling the racket without the ease of before but with the integrity of always. After the match, Nadal, in the press room, thanked the Barcelona tournament with the sincerity of a speech that was not prepared but organically integrated into oneself. That’s why it turned out so well. “The normal thing is that it was my last game at Godó. You all know how important this tournament has been for my career, this has been the quintessential tournament we have had in Spain for a long time. The best players in history have passed through here and I have always respected that history. On top of that, it is played in a tennis club, which is why this tournament is different from the vast majority. I have really enjoyed playing here, I have had very nice moments, I have managed to win 12 times. Something unimaginable for me. I can only thank all the people of this club for the treatment received.” A plaque for those words.

Life goes on. After a big goodbye comes a, for now, small hello. He continued the Godó and Casper Ruud won. The Norwegian, sixth in the world but with few significant victories, took the final (his first 500) against Stéfanos Tsitsipas, the Greek whom the city loves even though it resists him (he has lost four finals). Ruud’s tennis, more mechanical, this time prevailed over that of his opponent, with more repertoire and brilliant touches (his one-handed backhand is a delightful rarity on the circuit) but at times too irregular. It surely had to do with the fatigue carried by Tsitsipas, with three-set matches in the quarterfinals and the semifinals in the afternoon shift, while Ruud lifted the trophy without losing a single set. The Norwegian, who had clearly lost in the Monte Carlo final against the same rival, signed a quick revenge at RCTB.

The present Godó will also be remembered for the disappearance of Spanish tennis players after the quarterfinals, an event that had not happened for 35 years. It has been a tough week for Spanish tennis. Nadal is saying goodbye to the courts and Garbiñe Muguruza has decided to do it completely. But the giants will return. Carlos Alcaraz cried for not being able to come to Barcelona. A goodbye, a hello and, thank goodness, a see you later.