Spain and tennis assimilate Rafael Nadal’s farewell

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — As Rafael Nadal prepared to serve in the final tennis match of his career, a woman’s voice in the stands broke the silence: “You made Spain proud! “

Soon after, Nadal wiped the tears from his face and said goodbye to his fellow Spaniard.

His farewell to tennis on Tuesday in Malaga was as emotional as expected, but for most it was too early. Nadal deliberately staged his final act in Spain, but the hosts were eliminated in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. He failed to finish his career with a victory.

Fans across Spain are also heartbroken to see one of the country’s best players – and arguably the greatest athlete of all time – finally retire.

“It’s clear that Rafa is the best player Spain has ever had. He’s on a different level than the others by far,” Feliciano Lopez, a retired tennis player and tournament director of the Davis Cup finals, told AP society. “That’s no disrespect to all the other Spanish athletes, we have very good athletes too, but no one can inspire the fans like Rafa.”

Lopez, who was Nadal’s Davis Cup teammate, compared Nadal to figures such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali, all athletes who transcended sports.

“There is a small group of athletes who throughout their careers are able to inspire people in special ways outside of sports,” Lopez said. “Rafa belongs to this small group. “In 40 or 50 years, people around the world will remember Rafa. “

Unable to overcome a series of injuries in recent years, the 38-year-old Nadal has played professional tennis for more than 20 years and won 22 Grand Slam titles, two more than Roger Federer and only behind Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles, retired from professional tennis.

The front pages of Spanish newspapers talked about Nadal after his farewell match, which he lost 6-4, 6-4 to world No. 80 Dutchman Botic van der Zande Schulp. van de Zandschulp).

“It’s an honor,” sports newspaper AS said.

“Thank you, Rafa,” Marca wrote.

“Eternal”, labeled “Mundo Deportivo”.

It would be difficult to find another Spanish athlete who can match Nadal’s fame and sporting achievements.

Other Spaniards who have achieved great things in sport include Severiano Ballesteros, winner of five golf majors; Miguel Induráin , five-time Tour de France champion; Pau Gasol, two-time NBA champion; Fernando Alonso, two-time Formula One champion; Marc Márquez, six-time MotoGP champion; and Carlos Sainz, four-time Dhaka Rally winner.

Spain has also had its fair share of successful footballers, including world champions Casillas and Andres Iniesta, but none have the stature of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi who have transcended the sport like Nadal.

Nadal is also a two-time Olympic champion and served as Spain’s flag bearer at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He is idolized in Spain for his victories and unwavering passion and dedication, and is seen as a role model for society at large for his values ​​and humility on and off the pitch.

“Nadal makes us Spanish proud. He represents the values ​​of passion, friendship, solidarity. He will always be the image of the sport in Spain. “It does not mean to know that he will no longer represent Spain on courts around the world. easy. “

Federer praised his lifelong friend and rival in an open letter. “You make Spain proud, you make the whole tennis world proud. “You have been a role model for kids around the world. “

After Spain’s defeat, Nadal told the audience at his farewell ceremony that he always “strives to be better and achieve my goals based on respect, humility, and I cherish all the good things that have happened to me.”

“I try to be a good person, and I hope that’s how you see it,” he said. “I leave with peace of mind because I left a legacy that I truly feel is not just a sporting legacy but a personal legacy.”

Other tennis professionals such as Djokovic and Serena Williams, as well as former soccer stars such as David Beckham and other athletes, have praised Nadal.

Former England and Real Madrid player Beckham said: “Thank you for giving me so many incredible moments and memories as a tennis fan and for everything you do to inspire young people around the world.

“God, we’re going to miss you,” Williams said.

Carlos Alcaraz, considered Nadal’s heir apparent in Spanish tennis – with four Grand Slam titles under his belt by the age of 21 – says following in his idol’s footsteps will inevitably bring pressure.

“I don’t want to think we have to continue his legacy. I don’t want it to be frustrating if we don’t reach the level he reached,” Alcaraz said. “If I could achieve even half of what he achieved, I would be happy. His legacy will be eternal.

It’s not entirely clear what the future holds for Nadal, an avid golfer who has been linked with Real Madrid. He has said in the past that one day he might enjoy serving as club president.

“My life has changed radically,” Nadal said after returning home to Mallorca on Wednesday. “I am accepting everything that is normal, accepting a life that is different from the last 30 years, but hopefully to be able to live it.” .

One thing is certain: Nadal is never too far away from tennis.

“I’m retiring from professional tennis but I’m still here to do anything and I want to be a good tennis ambassador. It’s something I’ve been trying to do my whole life, trying to get better and achieve my goals,” he said.

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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.