After his remaining look on the tennis courtroom resulted in a defeat on Tuesday, Rafael Nadal mentioned that he’s content material with the legacy he has etched at an expert and private stage as he hangs up his boots.
The 38-year-old Nadal was defeated within the opening singles rubber of the Davis Cup quarter-finals as Netherlands downed Spain 2-1 to progress.
“I depart with the peace of thoughts that I’ve left a legacy, which I actually really feel is not only a sporting one however a private one,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner informed followers in Malaga in a post-match ceremony to honour his retirement.
“I perceive that the love I’ve acquired, if it was only for what occurred on the courtroom, wouldn’t be the identical.”
And that is how we’ll all the time keep in mind you, Rafa#DavisCup #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/XWEGT35anq
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
Nadal recollected a number of folks in his farewell speech, together with his uncle Toni Nadal who coached him for a significant interval since his early life.
“The titles, the numbers are there, so folks in all probability know that, however the best way that I wish to be remembered extra is sort of a good particular person, from a small village in Mallorca,” continued Nadal.
“I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village after I was a really, very small child, and a terrific household that helps me in each second. I simply need to be remembered as a very good particular person, a child that adopted their desires and achieved (even) greater than what I had dreamed.”
A number of former and present gamers, together with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and different tennis greats left messages in a video montage shared to commemorate Nadal’s profession.
“I depart the world {of professional} tennis having encountered many good mates alongside the best way,” mentioned Nadal in his emotional speech.
“I’m calm as a result of I’ve acquired an training to tackle what’s coming subsequent,” he defined.
