Spain having lost Tuesday evening against the Netherlands, in Malaga, in the quarter-final of the Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal is now retired from professional tennis. The man with 22 Grand Slam titles, during a special ceremony after the match, took the microphone to say many, many thanks.
Tears in the early evening, tears in the middle of the night. Very touched this Tuesday, even before the kick-off of the Davis Cup quarter-final between Spain and the Netherlands, Rafael Nadal was once again overtaken by his emotions, after midnight, when the “Roja” is bowed to the public of Malaga, effectively sending the Bull of Manacor into retirement, at 38 years old.
Alone in the middle of the court, and acclaimed by the public to the sound of “Rafa, Rafa”, Nadal took the microphone a few minutes later to formalize the end of his career and thank, at length, all those who have accompanied him since his beginnings.
>>> Relive Rafael Nadal’s last professional evening
“I gave what I had”
“I have to thank so many people that it is difficult for me to begin,” he first said. “I will start with those who are here, sincerely, it’s been 20 years of professional career during which you have always supported me, in good times and in bad, you have pushed me to continue fighting. J “I was very lucky to feel so much affection from all over the world, especially Spain.”
If he did not hide a hint of disappointment after his own singles defeat against Van de Zandschulp (6-4, 6-4) and therefore after the Spanish elimination, Nadal then wanted to pass the torch to the new generation. “I also want to congratulate the Dutch team and I want to thank the whole Spanish team that is here,” he continued. “Clearly it didn’t go the way we all would have liked, but I gave what I had and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to go through these last days as a professional within a team It is with them that I experienced most of the most exciting moments of my career, we made the most of it and now it is up to you (his teammates). continue.”
“I tried to be a good person”
“I feel privileged to have had a much longer career than I could have ever imagined,” continued the man with 22 Grand Slam victories. “I also want to thank everyone who has been by my side. The fact that they believed in me for so many years made me feel safe. (…) I don’t want to forget the media, who accompany me and tell my story I sometimes made mistakes, I played badly, but I always maintained a respectful relationship with you all. I really appreciate your work, for telling a beautiful story. history.”
“I’m going to retire from professional tennis, but I’m still here, I hope to be a good ambassador for world tennis, that’s what I’ve tried to do all my life, to strive every day to to be better, to show respect, humility and to appreciate all the good things I tried to be a good person, I hope you perceived that I leave this world having found a lot. of friends on my way I leave with tranquility. of spirit to know that, in a way, I left a sporting and personal legacy I want to say goodbye by thanking my family, who never let me down, when things seemed impossible, they helped me. allowed us to keep our feet on the ground.”
“I want to be remembered as the boy who made his dreams come true”
After the broadcast of a video compiling tributes from big names in Spanish and international sport (Rodri, Iker Casillas, Raul, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andres Iniesta…), and before David Ferrer, captain of Spain, does not take the microphone himself, Rafael Nadal was asked what mark he would like to have left.
“The titles, the records are there, but I would like to be remembered as a good person, who remembers his origins, a little guy from Mallorca,” he replied . “I was lucky that my uncle and my family supported me at all times to achieve my dreams. I’m honest, a lot of people work very hard, but I’m one of those who was very lucky. I want I am remembered as the boy who made his dreams come true.”
