Photo: AFP
Mallorca: At the Davis Cup on Tuesday, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis, saying he had left both a sporting and personal legacy.
The Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to get to the last four, defeating the 38-year-old in the first singles match of the quarterfinals. Over the previous 23 years, Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has had a spectacular and remarkable career.
In a speech during an event to honour his retirement, Nadal told fans in Malaga, “I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one.”
“I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.”
Nadal acknowledged his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him throughout his early years and for a significant portion of his career, as one of the many people who have helped him in his career, AFP reported.
“The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good 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 when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment...
“I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.”
Over 10,000 spectators watched Rafael Nadal's career come to an end as his career was commemorated with a video montage on the numerous screens surrounding the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga. Among the tennis greats who left messages in the video were former competitors Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, and former Spanish football players Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October.
“I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,” said Nadal in his emotional speech.
The Spaniard stated that he was not scared to start his retirement and intended to be a "good ambassador" for tennis in the years to come.
“I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next,” he explained.
“I have a great family around me who help me with everything that I need every day.”