Surrounded by his teammates (Marcel Granollers, Roberto Bautista, Pedro Martínez and Carlos Alcaraz), the coach (David Ferrer) and his coach (Carlos Moyá), Rafael Nadal He took the microphone and the first thing he did was silence. He received the warmth of all those attending the Martín Cárpena stadium in Málaga for a minute. A minute of affection.
And as soon as it started, it didn’t stop: “I have to give thanks to so many people that it’s difficult to start. Thanks to all of you, the audience. Honestly, it has been twenty years of professional career in which you took me through the air. In the moments “The good times helped me win the next point and the bad times to keep fighting. I have felt very lucky to feel so much love from around the world, especially here in Spain.”
“The Davis Cup has not gone as I would have liked. I have sincerely given what I had and I want to thank the support. I have spent many days as a professional in a team. Many of the most exciting moments of my career have been experienced with many of those who are here. It has been a true honor and a privilege to be part of the team,” he declared.
“The reality is that one never wants to reach this moment. I am not tired of playing tennis but the body does not want to and we have to accept the situation. I feel very privileged to make one of my hobbies my profession”he confessed.
“I thank life for everything. I am a person who believes in continuity and that is why I have tried to maintain the team and make few changes to have a personal relationship that goes beyond the professional career. I am leaving this world of tennis having met many friends along the way and I think being a good person. I leave with the peace of mind of leaving a legacy. “I’m calm because I have a great family around me that helps me with everything I need,” he concluded.
He then received a plaque of tribute from David Haggerty, president of the International Tennis Federation, and Miguel Díaz, president of the Spanish Tennis Federation.
A recognition that came just before a tribute video was projected on the central screens starring renowned international sports figures such as former soccer players David Beckham, Raúl González, Iker Casillas and Andrés Iniesta, tennis players like the Serbian Novak Djokovic, the Argentine Juan Martín del Potro, the American Serena Williams and the Swiss Roger Federer or the golfer Sergio García.
The tribute closed with some loving and heartfelt words from David Ferrer, friend, teammate and now coach. “Everything has been said about you. You have given an example as a person and player you want to be. The best education is the example and you have been our example. Finally, there are people who are remembered eternally and you will be remembered eternally.”
Excited and with his arms raised in farewell, Nadal received the fans’ applause for the last time. That would have filled more than one stadium.
