EFE.- Rafael Nadal will never forget November 19, 2024. That day, in front of a packed Martín Carpena pavilion in Málaga, with 10,700 spectators in its stands, He said goodbye as a professional tennis player with a bitter taste for the early elimination of Spain in the Quarterfinals of a special Davis Cup. At home and in front of a fan that idolizes him.
More than twenty three years have passed since that April 29, 2002 in which he achieved his first victory on the professional circuit at the ATP 250 in Mallorca. Had 15 years and 330 days and became the Youngest player to win a match in an official tournament on the international circuit by beating Paraguayan Ramón Delgado, 81st in the world at that time.
From there, until this November 19, 2024, a extensive professional career full of success. Two Olympic golds and 92 titles in his record, twenty-two of them Grand Slams (14 Roland Garros, 2 Australian Opens, 4 United States Opens and 2 Wimbledon), shine in their showcases. Also five Davis Cupsa competition that is always special as it is by teams and representing Spain.
Precisely in the Davis Cup, in which debuted in 2004Nadal said goodbye twenty years later. A round number. This time, unlike that occasion in Seville, he could not celebrate the title in another Andalusian city, Malaga.
BITTER
Point and end to his career and also with a bitter taste. Even so, his greatness as a tennis player could not be tarnished by this hard setback and this was understood by the Spanish fans, who joined in the emotional tribute that the organization prepared to say goodbye to an eternal athlete. A legend of tennis but also of Spanish sport.
Surrounded by his selection partners (Marcel Granollers, Roberto Bautista, Pedro Martínez and Carlos Alcaraz), the coach (David Ferrer) and his coach (Carlos Moyá), Nadal received the warmth of everyone attending the Martín Carpena. “Thank you,” was the word most repeated by everyone.
“I have to thank so many people that it is difficult to begin. Thanks to all of you, the public. Honestly, it has been twenty years of professional career in which they have taken me to flight. In good times they helped me win the next point and in bad times they helped me keep fighting. “I have felt very lucky to feel so much love around the world, especially here in Spain,” Nadal said excitedly on the court.
“The Davis Cup has not gone as I would have liked. I have sincerely given what I had and I want to thank the support. I have spent many days as a professional in a team. Many of the most exciting moments of my career I have experienced them with many of those who are here. “It has been a true honor and a privilege to be part of the team,” he declared.
PRIVILEGED
“The reality is that you never want to get to this moment. I’m not tired to play tennis but the body does not want to and we have to accept the situation. I feel very privileged to make one of my hobbies my profession,” he confessed.
“I thank life for everything. I am a person who believes in continuity and that is why I have tried to maintain the team and make few changes to have a personal relationship that goes beyond the professional career,” Nadal commented.
“I leave this world of tennis having found many friends on the road and I think being a good person. I leave with the peace of mind of leaving a legacy. “I’m calm because I have a great family around me that helps me with everything I need,” he concluded.
On the court, Rafa Nadal received a tribute plaque from the hands of David Haggerty, president of the International Tennis Federation, and Miguel Díaz, president of the Spanish Tennis Federation.
TRIBUTE
A recognition that came just before a tribute video starring renowned international sports figures such as former soccer players was projected on the central screens. David BeckhamRaúl González, Iker Casillas and Andrés Iniesta, tennis players such as the Serbian Novak Djokovic, the Argentine Juan Martín del Potro, the American Serena Williams and the Swiss Roger Federer or the golfer Sergio García.
The tribute closed with some loving and heartfelt words of David Ferrerfriend, partner and now coach. “Everything has been said about you. You have given an example as a person and player you want to be. The best education is the example and you have been our example. Finally, there are people who are remembered eternally and you will be remembered eternally.”
Excited and with his arms raised in farewell, Nadal received the applause of the Spanish fans before leaving through the locker room tunnel to start a new life for which he said he was prepared.
