Rafael Nadal is tackling, at the age of 38, the final challenge he set before retiring. He will try with Spain to win the Davis Cup, the final phase of which begins Tuesday, November 19 in Malaga. The Spaniards are opposed at 5 p.m. in the Netherlands, for what could be, in the event of defeat, the last match of Rafael Nadal's career. For the moment, no one knows if Nadal will play this match and, if so, if he will be lined up in singles or doubles.
But no matter, no one wants to miss the Spaniard's farewell. And some are ready to pay the price. On online resale sites, hundreds of tickets have been offered, ranging for Tuesday's match from 1,500 to 26,000 euros, and even up to 33,000 euros if Spain goes to the semi-final. 12,000 spectators are expected on Tuesday at the Palais des sports.
Everyone wants to be there, without exception. “We received unreal requests from everyone, from VIPs, from politicians, from the king, of course, from Cristiano Ronaldo, says Julien Casseigne, the development director of Tennium, one of the organizers of the Davis Cup. The fact that the two other greatest champions in history, Federer and Djokovic, come to see him play, creates exceptional excitement.”
And then, in the stands, there will be anonymous people, like those present on Monday at the Palais des Sports to see Rafa, their idol, get out of a car before going to train. “I love all the values and emotions it transmits, says a fan. He is the best Spanish athlete of the time.”
“In addition to being a very good player, he is very friendly, and he is a very good person.”
A fan of Rafael Nadalat franceinfo
“For all Spaniards, he is an example to follow as an athlete, as a person. He is strong, I am very proud of him as a Spaniard”adds another fan. In Malaga, no Spaniard is really sad to see Nadal retire. Above all, they all want to celebrate him and thank him for all the happiness he has given them for more than 20 years.
