The “King of Clay” is celebrated one last time in Malaga. At the end of an impressive career, Nadal is highly emotional.
Tears on the court and in the stands, world stars on the screen: Rafael Nadal has retired from tennis with an emotional ceremony. “It didn’t end the way we all would have wanted, but I feel so happy,” said the moved Spaniard, to warm applause from the audience in Malaga. The greatest clay-court player in history was celebrated there well past midnight.
The Spanish national team’s surprising 2-1 defeat in the Davis Cup quarterfinals against the Netherlands had sealed the end of the celebration and prevented the perfect send-off. But the defeat was quickly forgotten, and everything revolved around the 22-time Grand Slam winner. Before Nadal could begin his speech, he was celebrated with minutes of applause and piercing “Rafa, Rafa” chants.
“I leave knowing that I have left a legacy, not only in the sporting arena but also in the personal sphere,” said the 38-year-old, who, like the members of his family in the stands, repeatedly had to fight back tears: ”I have had the great fortune to have incredible experiences in tennis and to have achieved more than I could ever have dreamt of.”
He did not want to be reduced to his “titles and numbers” but simply be remembered as a “good person” – “as a child who followed his dreams and worked hard to get here today.” He was leaving professional tennis with “many good friends”.
Some of these friends and other sports stars from Spain and around the world were also shown on the big screen during the ceremony. Among others, former footballers Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta and David Beckham wished Nadal all the best for the future, as did his former rivals Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
Nadal himself emphasized at the end that he now feels ready for the new phase of his life: “I am completely relaxed because I am prepared for what is coming. I have a great family around me that helps me with everything.”
