Phelps falls to Lochte in final at first comeback meet

MESA, Ariz. – Ryan Lochte missed Michael Phelps in swimming as much as, or more than, anyone else.

So much that after Lochte suffered a knee injury from a freak accident in November, the 11-time Olympic medalist considered joining Phelps, the record 22-time Olympic medalist, in the whatever-comes-next search.

Instead, on Thursday night, the 29-year-old Lochte swam the second-fastest time (51.93 seconds) in the world this year in the 100-meter butterfly to beat Phelps, 28, in his comeback meet at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa. Phelps made some technical mistakes but still was fifth-fastest in the world for 2014 at 52.13 in his first meet since the 2012 London Olympics.

"I'm glad he's back," said Lochte, also fourth in the 100 freestyle. "His leaving kind of broke my heart a little, because I love being on those blocks and racing him. Now that he's back, I've got a big old smile."

Phelps' timing was off at the start, "then he scrambled to catch up," his coach, Bob Bowman, said. "Then he got to the wall (at 50 meters) and missed a stroke. By the time he got going, it was kind of over."

Phelps described the turn as perhaps the worst of his lengthy career but said he still achieved his goal of swimming close to 52 seconds flat. He plans to swim butterfly today in the 50-free preliminaries just to get more work in on his favorite stroke.

The result was insignificant compared with what it means for the sport to have the two U.S. titans seemingly on board for the trek to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Both profess to be rejuvenated by their time off, and in Lochte's case, a change of scenery to train with SwimMAC Carolina and coach David Marsh.

Lochte tore a ligament in his left knee from a fall suffered trying to catch a teenage fan running toward him.

"I was going through a rough patch" after the 2013 World Championships, Lochte said. "I wasn't really motivated about getting back in the water. Then my injury happened, and I was like, 'Maybe I should just throw in the towel now.' But I found that little spark that kept me going and different ways of making swimming fun again. Having Phelps back in the water definitely helps, because we're going to go back to me and him pushing each other. We'll try to give you guys a show."

The first scene of what almost certainly will be their final act — Phelps has been to four Olympics, Lochte three — before a capacity crowd at Skyline Aquatic Center was a smashing success.

After being fastest in the morning preliminaries, Phelps said he felt "like a summer-league swimmer. I should have my heat and lane written on my hand in case I forget it." He didn't sleep as much as normal between sessions and said he was more relaxed and serious during the final.

"I'm going to do everything I can to try to get my hand on the wall before him," said Phelps, almost identically repeating what Lochte said Phelps brings out in him. "We really just will fight until the end in any event we swim."

Other winners on the first of three days included Katie Ledecky in the 400 free, tying for the world's best time (4:03.84) this year, and Nathan Adrian defending his title in the 100 free.

Metcalfe writes for the Arizona Republic.

PHOTOS: Phelps through the years