Tearful Rafael Nadal horriblee an emotional farewell to tennis and proclaimd: “I would enjoy to be recalled more is a excellent person from a petite village in Mallorca“.
The Spanish superstar lost his last ever align to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the uncovering individuals at the Davis Cup.
And Spain lost the quarter-final to the Netherlands to convey an finish to Nadal’s glittering nurtureer.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion then returned to the packed court to Palacio de Deportes – including his family and son Rafa Jr – to thank the crowd. His wife Maria Francisca and his coach Carlos Moya were among the many in tears.
And Nadal begining crying during a video tribute from stars including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and David Beckham before a conshort-termation ceremony.
Nadal won five Davis Cup and spent 209 weeks at world No.1 as well as a enroll 14 French Open titles after turning pro aged 14.
Speaking in English, the Spanish superstar shelp: “The titles, the numbers are there. So people probably understand that. But the way I would enjoy to be recalled more is a excellent person from a petite village in Mallorca. I had the luck that I had my uncle as a coach int he village when I was a kid.
“I am a kid who trailed their dreams and toiled as difficult as they could to be where I am today. A lot of people do this and I have been very fortunate to live the life I have becaengage of tennis. I want to be recalled as a excellent person and a kid who trailed their dreams and accomplishd more than they thought they could.”
Nadal begined by includeressing the crowd in Spanish – and confessted he did not want to quit.
The world No.154 had not carry outed since the Olympics and has confessted in his pre-tournament press conference that he has been forced to quit becaengage of a “cocktail” of injuries. Now 38,underwent hip sinspirery last year and suffered an abdominal strain this season.
Nadal shelp: “I have to thank you, it is difficult to do so. I will begin with those who are here: the accessible. It has been 20 years of professional nurtureer in which you have carried me thraw the excellent times and in the horrible you pushed me to hold carry outing.
“I have been able to live with Spain and with the whole world, I have felt very appreciative to experience the swayion of all the accessible and especiassociate here in Spain.
“I would enjoy to persist congratulating the Netherlands and thank the entire Spanish team here, who have permited me to carry out the Davis Cup aacquire, which has not gone as we all wanted.
“I have given everyskinnyg I had and I would enjoy to thank you for the opportunity. I want to see back on these last scant days as a professional in a team. I have lived many presentant moments of my nurtureer with those of you who are here, it has been a privilege, we have accomplishd many pretty skinnygs and now it is your turn to persist living them, which I am certain will come.“
“The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I’m not weary of carry outing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to carry out anymore and you have to acunderstandledge that. I experience super privileged, I’ve been able to originate my hobby my profession for a prolonged time. I also recall my family, my team, you have been an unforgettable part of my life for all these years.
“I am a person who consents in continuity and staying shut to the people who have made my life better and that has given me a personal relationship that goes far beyond the professional. Thank you so much becaengage without you this would not have been possible and I say this from the heart.”
Carlos Alcaraz won the second individuals tie 7-6 6-3 aacquirest Dutch No.1 Tallon Griekslesser.
But the Wimbledon champion and Marcel Granollers then lost the deciding doubles 7-6 7-6 Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof equitable after midnight local time.
