“Thank you very much, thank you very much”he repeated Rafa Nadal to the tireless applause of the audience at the Martín Carpena Pavilion in Málaga. Also a “Rafa, Rafa” it made him smile. A very moving tribute in which his teammates and coaches could not hold back their tears.
A night of thanks. To teammates, coaches, rivals, the Tennis Federation, the media and their sponsors: “Thank you all. I was lucky to receive so much love all over the world and especially here in Spain.
“I gave what I had. Everything. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend these last few days as a team professional. I have experienced many of the most exciting moments with those here. It has been an honor and a privilege. We have achieved a lot together. And now it’s your turn to continue achieving it,” said Rafa, who is leaving tennis at 38.
And he doesn’t do it because he’s tired. He does it because his body can’t take it anymore: “I’m not tired of playing tennis, the body has reached a point where it doesn’t want to play tennis anymore.”. “We have to accept the situation.”
“I tried to make an effort every day with respect, humility and valuing what happens to me every day. I tried to be a good person and I hope you saw it that way. I am leaving professional tennis after finding many friends along the way,” he said. Rafa while his family in the stands couldn’t stop crying.
Messages from other athletes
Rodri Hernández, Iker Casillas, Raúl González, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer They appeared in the final video sharing messages of admiration for the former tennis player.
