Spanish tennis fans were only briefly interested in the end of the Davis Cup. It was much more important to them to celebrate Rafael Nadal one last time. Nadal is also highly emotional – especially in his farewell video.
Tears on the court and in the stands, world stars on the screen: Rafael Nadal retired from tennis with an emotional ceremony.
“It didn’t end the way we all would have liked, but I feel so happy,” said the emotional Spaniard to warm applause from the Malaga crowd. The greatest clay court player in history was celebrated there until well after midnight.
A video was also recorded – Nadal’s greatest successes can be seen, but numerous sports stars also have their say. Former footballers Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta and David Beckham, among others, wished Nadal all the best for the future, as did his former rivals Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
When his biggest rival and good friend, who had written an emotional farewell letter to Nadal on Tuesday morning, appeared, Nadal wiped his eyes. The Spaniard was visibly fighting back the tears that had already come before his match during the Spanish national anthem.
He then thanks Federer and Co.: “I experienced many of the most special moments of my career with them. It was a privilege.” Djokovic had previously said something similar about Nadal.
Spain celebrates Nadal – even without a Davis Cup victory
The Spanish national team’s 1-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup against the strong Dutch had sealed the end – and prevented the perfect farewell.
But it was quickly digested: Nadal’s farewell was more important that day than another Davis Cup title, of which Spain had collected many in the past 20 years, thanks to Nadal’s often great help.
And so everything quickly turned back to the 22-time Grand Slam winner. Before Nadal could begin his speech, he was celebrated with minutes of applause and shrill shouts of “Rafa, Rafa.”
“I leave with the certainty that I have left a legacy that is not only of a sporting nature, but also of a personal nature,” explained the 38-year-old, who, like his family members, repeatedly had to fight back tears in the stands: “I “I was very fortunate to have had incredible experiences in tennis and to have achieved more than I ever imagined.”
Nadal is helplessly pursuing intense doubles
Nadal lost the first singles of the day 4:6, 4:6 against Botic van de Zandschulp, who had already caused a sensation at the US Open by knocking Carlos Alcaraz out of the competition and who was better suited to the indoor conditions than Nadal, who is slowing down.
“He was better than me, there’s nothing more to say. “It’s no longer necessary to analyze much,” said Nadal after his last game.
The final knockout had not yet been determined at the time of his press conference, but even if he had won, Nadal would probably not have returned to the court, at least in the singles.
“If I were the team captain, I would probably substitute myself – that was probably my last game,” he said, referring to another individual appearance.
Nadal: You never want to get to this point
A few hours later it was clear that Nadal was right. After his team was eliminated, he was honored on the pitch – and spoke again.
“The reality is you never want to get to that point. “I’m not tired of playing tennis, but the body doesn’t want to play anymore and you have to accept that,” said the living legend: “I feel very privileged, I was able to turn my hobby into my profession for a long time.”
Nadal didn’t expect an “ideal ending” before the start of the competition anyway, but of course he hoped for a farewell title.
The incredible numbers of a living legend
The left-hander started his great career in 2001 and, among other things, triumphed a ridiculous 14 times at his favorite tournament in Paris. He also clinched a single and a double Olympic victory as well as a total of 92 triumphs on the ATP tour.
Nadal, whose body went on strike more and more frequently toward the end, played more than 1,300 matches and won around $135 million in prize money. Above all, the numerous duels with his big rivals – Federer and Djokovic – will remain unforgettable. The latter now alone manages the legacy of the former Big Three, who have shaped tennis over the past almost 25 years like no trio before them.
Federer had already paid homage to his “friend” Nadal in an emotional letter on Tuesday afternoon. Federer wrote on social networks that he “always thinks about the memories we shared with each other.” Nadal “made the tennis world proud”.
With Sports Information Service (SID)
