The day that no tennis and sports fan wanted is here: Rafa Nadal says goodbye to professional tennis. The legendary player from Manacor could not say goodbye as he wanted, in a big way, since his physique no longer suits him, but surely the infinite affection he received yesterday from the Malaga public compensates him in part. The Balearic Islands could not win their first match, and The Navy accused him, which ended up eliminated of the Davis Cup in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands: Carlos Alcaraz delivered in his singles match, but it was not enough, as the Murcian fell in an agonizing doubles match (which ended in a double 7-6) with Marcel Granollers against the Dutch couple. Then came a meaningful and well-deserved tribute for an eternal player who has earned everyone’s affection.
“I want to say thank you. There are so many people that it is difficult to start in some way. I will start with those who are here today: thanks to all of you, the public. It has been 20 years of professional career in which you have always carried me by my side, In the good moments you helped me win the next point, and in the bad moments you pushed me to continue fighting. I have been able to live with all of you, I want to generalize: I have felt super lucky to have received so much love all over the world and especially in Spain,” the Balearic tennis player began his speech.
Congratulations to the rival were not lacking: “I want to continue congratulating the Dutch team. Congratulations to all of you. You have played great. And to the entire Spanish team, You have allowed me to have been able to live the dream I had of playing Davis again. It hasn’t turned out the way we all wanted, I have given everything I had, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to spend these last few days as a team professional. I have experienced many of the most exciting moments of my career with many of you here, it has been an enormous privilege and honor. We have enjoyed it, we have achieved it. Now it’s your turn to continue. Thank you all, really.”
“The reality is that you never want to get to this moment. I’m not tired of playing tennis, the body has simply reached a point where it doesn’t want to play anymore.so you have to accept the situation. I feel super privileged. I have been able to turn one of my hobbies into my career, which is also much longer than I would have imagined. I just want to thank life and all these people I have here behind me. Family, especially my team, friends. “It is not a day to personalize, because it is difficult and I am going to forget people, but you have been an unforgettable part of my daily life for all these years,” Rafa Nadal admitted.
“I am a person who believes in continuity, in keeping the people who really love you and make your life better close to you. It is what I have tried throughout my life. Make few changes in my team and that has made me led to having a relationship with all of you that goes beyond the professional career. Thank you very much, without you none of all this would have been possible“.
Defeat against Van de Zandschulp
There was excitement and nostalgia in equal parts from the beginning in Malaga. Nadal took to the court for the last time to kick off Spain’s journey in the final phase of this Davis Cup, but it couldn’t be. The Spaniard fell to Botic Van de Zandschulp (6-4 and 6-4) in the last match of his professional career.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the great Spanish – and world – tennis legend at the start of his last tournament as a professional player. Also Rafa himself, who seemed calm before going out into the ring—smiling and playing with his racket—but could not contain the emotion seeing how the public surrendered to him again and hearing the anthem of Spain.
With crystal-clear eyes, full of tears that threatened to come out during a moment of great feeling, the 22-time Grand Slam winner got down to work. It started well, keeping the pulse to a strong tennis player from his serve who very soon made it clear that he had the day with his forehand, devastating for the Manacorí.
The tie remained until the ninth game despite the fact that Nadal had several opportunities to break the Dutchman and tip the balance in his favor. But he didn’t take advantage of them and it was Van de Zandschulp who ended up breaking his serve, against a Rafa who at times I let out traces of helplessness and frustration on the track.
The former world number 1 could not recover in that first set, already painted in the colors of the Netherlands. Everything was left for the second round, with the stands demanding a magical comeback one of those that Rafa has accustomed us to during his more than two decades on the ATP circuit.
But the match began to be difficult for him: the Dutchman broke his serve in the first game of the second set. And he broke it again shortly after. Nadal sowed hope by returning one of the breaks to his rival, who even hesitated in the last game, but This time the Balearic Islands were not correct to take advantage of the errors of his rival.
Botic Van de Zandschulp took the victory, and a thunderous ovation from his audience Rafa Nadal. The fans chanted his name as he gathered his things and faced the locker room tunnel behind what may have been his last game as a professional after a legendary career.
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