🎾 Rafael Kis Balasz vs Jannik Maute
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The rivalry between Novak Djokovic y Rafa Nadal It has been a cornerstone of the ATP circuit for many years, a rivalry that we never wanted to come to an end. However, the Spaniard’s withdrawal leaves Nole as one of the last heavyweights standing. What great moments these two have left us and how we will miss their confrontations. Both have made each other better and the Serbian wanted to have some beautiful words towards his greatest rival. He was not present at his farewell last Tuesday at the Davis Cupan absence that was missed like that of Roger FedererFor example. But in a video released by the tournament, Djokovic paid tribute to the Spaniard as he deserves.
From the heart, from Nole to Rafa:
“Rafa. First of all, congratulations on your incredible career. Your family, your team and yourself must be very proud of everything you have achieved throughout your career for more than 20 years. In the locker room we will miss your warm-ups, your sprints, your jumps, your competitive ludo, the games you had with your team before your games. We shared a lot of fun moments in the locker room, I just hope everyone celebrates your career today because there is a lot to embrace and embrace. much to celebrate, even if it is a sad day for tennis, for Spain and for sport in general that you retire.
I think the most important thing is the mark you leave in terms of connection with people, how you inspired millions of children around the world to pick up a tennis racket. How you transmitted your passion and your love for the game, how you performed on the court, how you respected your opponents and the entire tennis ecosystem throughout your career. Your tenacity, your fighting spirit, the energy you brought at all times, the strength, the power, is something that will be studied and that will be transmitted to many generations that come and aspire to be like you as a person and as a great champion. I feel very honored and excited to have been your rival in the last almost 20 years in which we have played more than 60 games.
I have learned a lot in our meetings. Thank you very much for making me the player I am and have been over the last 20 years. The world of tennis and sports will miss the incredible energy you put on the court. My friend, I wish you the best of luck with your charitable foundation, with your family and with your Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy that continues to thrive, that continues to spread throughout the world where you will be able to spread experiences, knowledge, passion and love that you have for the game to the younger generation. Thank you very much and good luck, my friend.”
Legend to legend 💚@djokernole pays tribute to his greatest rival and friend, @RafaelNadal #DavisCup #ThanksRafa pic.twitter.com/snjWQ8xVjz
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2024
Everything has a beginning and an end
With these beautiful, elegant and heartfelt words, Nole pays tribute to the one who has been his greatest rival and with whom he has played 60 matches throughout his career, from the first in 2006 to 2024 at the Olympic Games. The Serbian will miss him, like the rest of the planet, but we must keep all the good things that Nadal has brought to tennis and sport, in addition to the values that he has always transmitted and that have transcended the courts. Perhaps his farewell ended up being somewhat weak due to the absence of great personalities and friends of the Balearic Islands, but perhaps the hopes that Spain would qualify for the semi-finals truncated the plans a little. What do you think of Nole’s words?
