Neither Djokovic nor Murray arrived in time for Nadal’s farewell and Uncle Toni was conspicuously absent.

It was a night full of emotions in Martin Carpena of Malaga. Spain was eliminated at the first change in the Cup Davis after falling before Country Lowbut the important thing was that Rafa Nadal He ends his career as a professional tennis player. The best Spanish athlete in history said goodbye in a sea of ​​tears, his own and those of many people present there.

Nadal was surrounded by his closest entourage. Family and friends occupied the front rows of the Carpena stands, just behind the Spanish bench. There we find familiar faces who surround Rafa in his daily life. His wife was there Xiscanext to the little one Rafa Jr.. Also his parents, Ana Maria And SebastianAnd Maribelhis sister.

There were also some faces from Nadal’s work team: his agent, Carlos Side; your press officer, Benito Pérez-Barbadillo; two of his coaches, Marc Lopez And Gustavo Marcaccioand one of his former coaches, Francis Roig; your physical trainer, Jane Forcades; your physiotherapist, Rafa Maymo; and his nutritionist, Nurie Pomegranates. I was also Carlos Moyabut on the bench with Rafa and the rest of Davis’ Spanish team.

The big absentee was Uncle Tonias he explained weeks ago, due to work commitments. The most important figure at the start of Nadal’s career and much of it now as a professional was not in Malaga: “I’m going to be away because I have work these days- there and I must be in Rome”. he said in recent statements BRAND Radio.

Toni Nadal was not able to attend the moment of his nephew Rafa’s farewell, even though he was already getting used to the idea that the path was coming to an end: “I knew that at one point or another this day of final withdrawal had to arrive “Knowing that we will never see him in competition again because the emotion will be there, but I have been getting used to the idea for a while now”, he also noted in the interview aforementioned.

And the emotion “was there”. While Nadal lived with absolute nervousness the last matches of the doubles between Alcaraz and Granollers, which certified the defeat of Spain, a few tears were already perceptible in the family stands. Like those of the mother, Ana María Parera, who could not hold back her tears. During the final tribute, the majority joined them, including Xisca, Maribel and Sebastià.

“The only thing I can say is that we are very happy with the journey he has had, very grateful for life and the beginning of another stage,” Ana María later said on the microphone. COPE.

The VIPs arrived on Friday

Many icons of tennis and sport in general participated in a moving tribute video prepared by the Davis organization to say goodbye to Nadal. I was prepared for this Tuesday or this Friday, whether this day was won or lost. What Rafa didn’t want was for his withdrawal to overshadow a potential final, which will be played on Sunday, with the Spanish team.

Spain’s farewell to the competition was premature and surprised many who expected, at least, to see Nadal again in the semi-finals, whether on the court or on the bench. This also meant that few VIPs came to the Carpena to say goodbye to Rafa in person. The arrival of these guests was planned especially from Friday.

This was the case of Novak Djokovic And Andy Murraytwo of the great rivals of Nadal’s career, who had already confirmed to the organization their presence this weekend. Of which there was no news, and there were many rumors, it was Federer. The Swiss was not seen this Tuesday either, even though he woke up early to share a sincere message on his networks for his great friend. “I don’t know if he will come. He will try, but he has a very tight schedule,” Rafa said earlier this week about Roger’s possible presence.

Certainly, Rafa Nadal did not get the farewell he deserved. As he put it, his body “didn’t want” more tennis. In the match he played in Carpena and which opened the match against the Netherlands with a defeat, all those limitations that had been punishing him for a long time on the field were evident. But Rafael was surrounded by his family, with occasional absences, making his goodbyes also an intimate moment.