"Novak Djokovic was never this box office" - Fans react to Rafael Nadal's "vintage lawnmower" celebration during Madrid 2R win

Rafael Nadal let out an almighty roar and performed his signature fist-pump celebration after taking the first set during his second-round match against Alex de Minaur at the Madrid Open.

Nadal looked a completely different player in Madrid compared to the one that lost to de Minaur in straight sets the second round at the Barcelona Open. The Spaniard's devastating array of shots left tenth seed de Minaur searching for solutions throughout the match, which ended 7-6(6), 6-3 in Nadal's favor.

After the 22-time Grand Slam winner clinched the first set following a tense tiebreak, he celebrated wildly with a series of rapid-fire fist pumps.

Fans enjoyed the moment as Nadal rolled back the years. One set of fans enthusiastically wrote about the celebration.

"Djokovic was never this box office," wrote one fan.

"I do always think that Rafael Nadal's lawnmower fist-pump celebration would look absolutely f**king ridiculous if it was done by anyone not named Rafael Nadal," one fan wrote.

"Thought I felt another earthquake in NYC but it was Rafa winning the first set tiebreak & doing his vintage lawnmower in Madrid that shook the earth!" commented another fan.

"It takes a little more effort to start that ole mower But it still works like a champ," another fan chimed in.

Another set of fans came up with a myriad of reactions to Nadal's fiery fist pumps.

"Wait til we see Nadal junior copying it … things will explode," commented another fan.

"Praying he stays healthy for the french open, we need the king of clay to reign one last," another fan wrote.

"This last dance is going to destroy us all," another fan commented.

"With small steps big things are built" - Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal in action against Alex de Minaur at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open

Nadal attended a press conference following the conclusion of his match against de Minaur. The Spaniard told the press that despite his resounding victory over the Australian, he has to start afresh against Pedro Cachin, his third-round opponent in Madrid.

"You get excited, but the reality is that it is a game, in two days we start again and my glass of energy and confidence is filling up, but today I am far from being able to aspire to things. I think it is an important step forward, that with small steps big things are built, but unfortunately the reality is different," Nadal told the press.

The Spaniard now has a 4-2 head-to-head lead over Alex de Minaur after his win in Madrid. It was his first win over the Aussie since the ATP Cup semifinal tie between Spain and Australia in 2020.

Nadal will next take on Argentina's Pedro Cachin, who booked his place in the third round of the Madrid Open for the second successive year after defeating Frances Tiafoe 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4.