One of the saddest days tennis has ever witnessed. One of the sport’s greatest champions and undoubtedly the biggest fighter to step foot on a tennis court has left. Rafael Nadal officially retired from tennis. Playing his last match in Malaga, Spain, at the Davis Cup, Nadal suffered a straight sets defeat at the hands of the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp. But that wasn’t the end of the night.
Rafael Nadal bids tennis adieu
Spain still had the chance of going to the semifinals, giving Nadal a perfect goodbye. But luck doesn’t work that way, does it? Carlos Alcaraz won the second match, but the Netherlands edged Spain in the decided doubles match and entered the final four. Nadal took the floor at the end, as he failed to fight his tears. His family and loved ones present, Nadal received tributes from Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer.
I just want to be remembered as a kid who followed their dreams: Nadal
After Nadal poured his heart out in Spanish, one last question was asked of him in English. How does he wish to be remembered? His answer was as expected. Anyone who’s followed him over the years knows what he stands for and exactly what he said. Claiming that he has no interest in being revered as a tennis legend but rather a good person and a kid from a small village in Majorca that was able to live his dream.
“The title, the numbers are there, so the people probably know that. I would like to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Majorca. I had the luck. My uncle was a tennis coach in my village when I was a small kid, and I had a great family that supported me in every single moment. Just a kid who followed their dream and worked as hard as possible to be what I am today,” Nadal said fighting off tears.
“At the end of the day, a lot of people work hard and try their best every single day, but I’m one of the very lucky ones that life gave me an opportunity to live an unforgettable experience due to tennis. So, I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid who followed their dreams and achieved more than they dreamed.” Nadal concluded.
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