New Delhi: Tennis legend Rafael Nadal struggled to hold back his tears as fans gave him a standing ovation for one last time after he bid goodbye to professional tennis. He lost his last singles match while representing Spain in the Davis Cup Finals quarter-final against the Netherlands.
More than 10,000 people, including his family and friends, gathered at the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga to witness his magic one last time, but he struggled to keep his composure. He broke down in tears multiple times during an emotional farewell match. Nadal suffered a defeat against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp by 4-6, 4-6 in the opening singles clash.
Carlos Alcaraz won his singles match against Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 6-3 to force a decider but the pair of Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof defeated Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6, 7-6 to give the Netherlands 2-1 win.
Taking it all in 🥲#DavisCup #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/GcmZIOxA2g
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
Rafa forever ❤️💛#DavisCup #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/mX6OL2omzS
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
‘I just want to be remembered as a good person’: Nadal
Nadal retires as the second-most successful men’s singles player of all time in terms of Grand Slam wins. He is only behind his long-time rival Novak Djokovic. He won the French Open singles title a record 14 times. He is also a four-time US Open winner and won both the Wimbledon and Australian Open twice. He won Olympic singles and doubles gold and helped his country win four Davis Cup finals.
After the match, Nadal said that he wanted to be remembered as a good person. He further thanked his family for the support and said that he was a kid who followed his dreams and achieved more than he ever dreamed of.
“The titles and numbers are there so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is being a good person from a small village in Mallorca where I had the luck to have my uncle as a tennis coach. At the end of the day, a lot of people try their best every single day, but I’m very lucky to have the life I have to live because of tennis.” “A lot of people work hard. A lot of people try their best ever” Nadal said on Tuesday in a special presentation honoring his career.
Rafael Nadal soaked up the atmosphere as more than 10,000 people gave him a standing ovation after the final match of his career. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
