Nadal’s heartfelt words after his goodbye to tennis :: Olé

Rafal Nadal’s love affair with tennis is over. The Spaniard said goodbye this Tuesday, after Spain’s defeat against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup. After losing this against the Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp by a double 6-4 in Malaga, he admitted that it had “probably” been his last match. Then it was confirmed with defeat.

-“Good evening, I have to say thank you as it is difficult to do so. I will start with those who are here: the public. Honestly, it has been 20 years of professional career in which you have carried me along in the good times and in the The bad guys pushed me to continue playing. I have been able to live with Spain and with the whole world, “I have felt very grateful to feel the affection of the entire public and especially here in Spain.”

– “I want to continue congratulating the Netherlands and thank the entire Spanish team that is here, for letting me play the Davis Cup again, which did not go as we all wanted. I have given everything I had and thank you for the opportunity. Review these last few days as a team professional. I have lived many important moments in my career with those of you who are here, it has been a privilege, we have achieved many beautiful things and now it is your turn to continue living them, which I am sure will come.”

-“The reality is that one never wants to reach this moment, I am not tired of playing tennis but the body no longer wants to play anymore and we have to accept it. I feel super privileged, I have been able to make my hobby my profession for a long time. I also remember my family, my team, you have been an unforgettable part of my life during all these years. I am a person who believes in continuity and staying close to the people who have made my life better and that has made me have a personal relationship that goes far beyond the professional one, thank you so much because without you this would not have been possible and I would I say from the heart

-“I am more than happy and grateful for everything. My rivals have also helped me have the longest and most successful career that would not have happened without them. I say goodbye as a professional tennis player, I hope that the person will continue here for many years and I truly thank you very much.”

-“For me it has been a story, with moments that have been bad but the reality is that most of them have been good and unforgettable, thanks to the media for being part of my story too.”

-“To all the organizations that keep sport at the top of the world and that our sport continues to move masses. I am super passionate about tennis and I am still here, I hope to be a good ambassador for tennis. It’s what I’ve tried every day, to meet goals. I think I have tried to do it from respect, from humility, to value all the good things and I think that in some way something that is the most important thing in this world, to be a good person and I hope that is how it has been perceived. I leave this world of professional tennis having met many good friends along the way. “I leave with the peace of mind that in some way I have left how I really feel that way, not only sportingly but also personally.”

-“I really thank you very much for everything. I want to say goodbye saying the last words to my family who have never let me down. They have been with me in the difficult times, in the good times they have left me with my feet on the ground and that makes me I can handle whatever comes in the future better. I am calm because I have received an education to calmly face what is coming now. I am calm because I have a great family around me that helps me with everything possible.”