Some time ago, Rafael Nadal shared that he truly felt the joy of tennis during his participation in the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.
Spain then won the men’s tennis world team title after a 3-2 win over the United States. Now the circle closes – another one of the truly Great in this sport will hang the racket on the wall. Or maybe he will put it in the display case with the other cups, among which there are 22 of the “Grand Slam”.
This will happen next month after his participation in the final phase of the “Davis” in front of his home crowd in Malaga on November 19.
Nadal’s impending retirement has been talked about for a long time – mostly
after another serious thigh injury,
because of which he did not play for almost a year. Yes, he was back on the court, but it was hardly enjoyable for viewers to watch a (now former) great struggle to match the current power in tennis.
After two years of continuous health problems, operations, recovery, training and successive forced breaks, the left-hander from Mallorca surrendered. at 38 years old, the former world #1 is really stopping and decided to announce it with a video message.
It looked as if Nadal would stay until at least 2025, at the very least to say goodbye to beloved venues like the Australian Open and Monte Carlo. However, the reality turned out to be different.
“Are we ready? Hello everyone. I am here to tell you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The truth is, I’ve had a lot of hard years, especially the last two. I think I am not able to play without problems. This is really a very difficult decision and it took me a long time to make it. But in life everything has a beginning and an end.
And I think now is the right time to put an end to a career that has been long and far more exciting than I ever imagined. But I’m happy that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup finals
and that I will represent my country again
I think this is how I will end the journey I have traveled since my first joyful moments as a professional tennis player at the final in Seville in 2004. I am happy with everything I had the chance to experience. I want to thank the whole tennis industry, everyone who gives money to this sport, my friends and most of all my great rivals.
I spent so much time with them and experienced so many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s hard for me to talk about the people on my team because they are an important part of my life. They are not just colleagues, but friends.
They were there for me in all the moments I needed them. In the happy, in the difficult, in the moments when they had to make me work harder, and when they left me more freedom. We’ve been through so much together that it’s hard to tell.
For me, family is everything
My mother – she sacrifices so much so that I can always have everything. My wife, Mary, with whom we have been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done for me. You were my perfect companion all along. When I returned home and saw my son growing up day by day,
I was getting the energy that kept me alive
and it made me want to keep going. My sister and I have always had an amazing relationship. My uncle is the reason I started playing tennis. I think thanks to him I was able to survive many critical situations in my career. And to my father, who was my source of inspiration in every sense. I think he was
an example of will and exceeding one’s own capabilities
I want to thank my dad in a very, very special way. And to finish, I want to say to the fans that I can’t thank them enough for everything they put me through. You always gave me the energy I needed. In fact, everything I experienced is a dream come true. I leave completely satisfied with myself because I gave my best. I just want to end by saying, “Thousands of thanks to everyone. See you soon,” Nadal said in the clip.
The winner of 14 Roland Garros trophies played only 23 official matches in the last two seasons.
Thus, two years after Roger Federer’s resignation from the big three, only one remained – Novak Djokovic. And the reaction of the Swiss was not late.
“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thanks for all the unforgettable memories and achievements in the game we love. It was an absolute honor for me,” Federer wrote.