Rafa Nadal bid farewell to professional tennis after a legendary career on the Martín Carpena court in Malaga following Spain’s elimination against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The Balearic tennis player played his last match and said goodbye as one of the best athletes in history.
” Good evening everyone. I have so many people to thank. It’s hard to get started. I’ll start with those who are here. Thank you to this Malaga audience. You always pushed me in bad times to keep fighting. “I feel very lucky to feel so much love all over the world, especially here in Spain,” Rafa Nadal began emphasizing in Malaga.
“I want to continue to congratulate the Dutch team. Good game. And I want to thank the whole Spanish team. You allowed me to realize my dream of playing the Davis Cup again. I gave what I had. Things didn’t turn out the way we all would have liked. My last days as a professional were spent as a team. It has been an incredible privilege and honor. Thank you very much team. Now it’s your turn. The reality is that you never want to reach that moment. My body has reached a point where it no longer wants to play tennis. “I feel privileged to be able to do this career longer than I would have imagined,” said the Spanish tennis player.
“Thanks to family, teams, friends… I don’t want to personalize. You have been an unforgettable part of my daily life all these years. I believe in continuity in maintaining the people who love me. “It has led me to have a personal relationship with all of you,” the tennis legend said.
“I don’t want to flatter myself. I also want to thank everyone who has been by my side at any given time. Spanish Federation, sponsors… incredibly grateful for the unconditional support. They made me feel safe. Thank you very much,” commented Rafael Nadal in Malaga.
“I don’t want to forget the media. You have accompanied me all over the world. You treated me well most of the time. I always felt very well treated. The relationship has always been one of respect. You told my story, which was wonderful. The moments in general were good and unforgettable,” said the Spanish tennis player.
“To the entire sports industry. To the ATP, to the ITF… To everyone. All of you who make this sport a top sport in the world. Continue to move the masses. And I encourage you to continue on this path. I am retiring from tennis, but I hope to continue to be a great ambassador for tennis. This is what I’ve tried my whole life. But I did it with respect and humility. Appreciating all the good things that have happened to me. “I have always tried to be a good person,” said an excited Rafael Nadal.
“I am leaving this world of professional tennis, leaving many friends on my way. I have so many people to thank… I leave with the peace of mind of having left a legacy. Sporty and personal. The love I feel wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t like this. I say goodbye to my family. They have always been there. They never let me get up. The future will be easier to take with them. Any change involves a process of adaptation. “I leave with the satisfaction of having left everything behind,” concluded the tennis legend while the entire pavilion chanted his name.
