News that tennis fans never wanted to hear. Through a video on their social networks, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis. The last tournament will be the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, in which they will try to win with Spain a new edition of the Silver Salad that will be held in Malaga from November 19 to 24.
“The reality is that they have been difficult years, especially the last two. “I think I have not been able to play without limitations, which has led me to make this decision.”were the first words of an almost five-minute video published by the tennis player who won 22 Grand Slam titles in his glorious sports career.
“In this life everything has a beginning and an end. I think it’s the right time to put an end to what has been a long career. And much more successful than I could ever imagine,” Nadal added.
The inclusion of Rafa in the Spanish team, which will play at home and will have the Netherlands as a rival in the quarterfinal series, will generate great expectations for what will be the definition of the historic competition that brings together the best national tennis teams. . Along with the Mallorcan tennis player, the names of Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista, Pablo Carreño and Marcel Granollerswill be part of the group directed by David Ferrer.
So far in 2024, Nadal played only 20 matches, in which he had 12 wins and 8 losses.. His most outstanding performance was at the ATP 250 in Bastad, where he reached the final, but fell to the Portuguese Nuno Borges, who beat him with a resounding 6-3, 6-2.
“I am very excited that my last tournament is the Davis Cup representing my country. It is closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Seville in 20024″explains about the tournament that will mark his farewell to the courts at the age of 38 and with 92 titles in his career, which includes winning the Roland Garros title, the Grand Slam on clay, 14 times.
Tuesday the 19th is the date set on the calendar for the match against the Dutch team for a place in the Davis Cup semi-finals. “I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” Nadal remarked, while expressing his gratitude for the world of sport in which he shone and became a legend.
“I thank the entire tennis industry, all my colleagues for so many years. I have spent many things with them and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Rafa mentions in the video while images of his two greatest rivals appear, Roger Federer y Novak Djokovic.
In relation to the work team that accompanied him in all his milestones, it was forceful. “They are not workers, they are friends. They have been there every time I have needed them. Very good moments, very bad moments, moments in which I have had to tighten, when I have had to relax. We have lived so much that it is difficult to explain,” he highlighted.
As expected, Nadal also put into words his gratitude to his family. “It is everything to me. My mother has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we always had everything. My wife, Nery, we have been together for 19 years. It has been my perfect travel companion. Coming home every day and seeing how my son is growing every day gives me strength that has kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue.”
“My sister, my uncle, the reason I started playing tennis. Thanks to him I have been able to overcome many difficult situations in my sports career. And to my father who has been a source of inspiration in every way. It has been an example of effort, of improvement. “Thank you very much to my father in a special way,” expressed an emotional Nadal.
At the end of his speech, Rafa took time to thank the fans who followed him during his long and glorious career. “Finally, to you, the fans. I have no way to thank you for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have always needed. I have no way to thank you for what you have done for me.”
“Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best. I have tried in every way. I can only finish by saying a thousand thanks to everyone and see you soon,” were the last words while you can see in the images his farewell at Roland Garros this year after losing to the German against Alexander Zverev in Paris.
Nadal’s legacy will be much greater than the titles he won over the years. It marked an era in tennis in which he forged a sporting struggle with other legends such as Federer and Djokovic, but his triumphs in Roland Garros (14)he US Open (4), Wimbledon (2) and in the Australian Open (2)in addition to being the most winner of the Master series with 36 trophies, places him on a list among the most outstanding tennis players and athletes of all time.
