‘Retirement stage’ Davis Cup elimination… End of 23-year professional career
“I am a lucky person who got a chance to make a living thanks to tennis.”
Rafael Nadal (Spain), who completed his ‘retirement stage’, expressed his thoughts on retirement, saying, “I want to be remembered as a good person from a small town in Mallorca, where my uncle was a tennis coach.”
Nadal lost 0-2 (4-6 4-6) to Botik Vanderjanjjulf (80th) in the quarterfinals singles match against the Netherlands at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals held in Malaga, Spain on the 20th (Korean time).
Nadal, who announced that he would retire after the Davis Cup, ended his active career when Spain was eliminated after losing 1-2 to the Netherlands.
Nadal, born in 1986, is a tennis legend who has won 22 major tournaments since his professional debut in 2001. During his prime, he reigned as one of the ‘Big 3’ along with Roger Federer (Switzerland, retired) and Novak Djokovic (Serbia).
In particular, he won the French Open held on clay courts 14 times and was called the ‘King of Clay Courts’ and ‘Sudden God’.
However, due to recent difficulties due to injuries, he hinted at retirement and used the Davis Cup as a stage for his retirement.
Although he was unable to enjoy the finale as he was eliminated in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, the 11,300 spectators gathered at the venue gave Nadal a standing ovation as he left the court.
“I had a great family who supported me every step of the way,” Nadal said after the tournament. “I was a kid chasing my dreams and did everything I could to get to where I am now,” he said. “I was a lucky person,” he said, looking back on his career as a player.
He added, “I want to be remembered as a good person and someone who followed his dreams and achieved more than I ever believed possible.”
Several tennis stars also sent messages to Nadal, who dominated an era.
Women’s tennis legend Serena Williams said, “I (always) wanted to play like you,” and British tennis star Andy Murray said, “Watching Nadal play was unbelievable.”
Novak Djokovic, who formed a rivalry with Nadal, said, “Nadal’s strength and tenacity are worth studying,” and “It is an honor to be called a rival with him.”
Roger Federer paid tribute, saying, “Nadal’s wonderful career has made the world of tennis proud.”
