"Like to be remembered a kid from a small village of Mallorca who followed his dreams": Rafael Nadal bids emotional farewell to tennis
ATP
Rafael Nadal's career is officially over. As he put it in his post retirement speech, he started as a kid from a small village in Mallorca who followed his dreams and it is how he wants to be remembered.
There was not a dry eye in the house in Malaga with some having paid upwards of 17,000 euros for their tickets to see the great 22-time Grand Slam champion potentially retire.
As Carlos Alcaraz lamented his doubles loss alongside Marcel Granollers, the spotlight soon shone on Nadal and he had a lengthy speech and an emotional one at that thanking his rivals and also bidding farewell.
Messages were shown on the screen from his various colleagues and rivals from Serena Williams to Novak Djokovic to Roger Federer. Most of the big names that have had any big impact on his career joined in with the ceremony. Gracias Rafa as the Spanish king bids farewell.
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"Obviously things didn't work out as we would have liked, but I gave it everything I had. I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend my last days as a professional in a team," said Nadal.
"You never want to get to this point. I'm not tired of playing tennis. The body has reached a point where it doesn't want to go on and I have to accept the situation. I feel privileged to have extended my career longer than I expected. Thanks to life and to my team".
"I may have made some mistakes and I may have played some games badly, but I am grateful that the media have told the world with respect what for me has been a beautiful story with some bad moments, but also some unforgettable ones".
"I have tried to achieve my goals with respect, humility and appreciation for the good things that have happened to me. I have tried to be a good person and I hope you have perceived that. I leave the world of professional tennis having found many friends".
"I leave with the peace of mind of feeling that I have left a legacy because of the love I have received around the world beyond the tennis court. Thank you for everything".
"Now comes a difficult process, I will need to adapt but I do it with peace of mind because I have tried everything to the end and I have a great family around me that helps me in everything in my day to day life".
"I would like to be remembered as a good person and a kid from a small village of Mallorca who followed his dreams. I had the luck to start to play tennis with my uncle and having a great family who supported me to reach who I am today".
"My big rivals have helped me to have a much longer and more successful career. I thank them for sharing so much together. I say goodbye as a professional tennis player, but the person will still be here with you. I hope for many years to come. Thank you all".
Rafa Nadal with some heartfelt words as he retires from tennis:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 19, 2024
“A lot of people work hard. A lot of people try their best every single day. I have been very lucky. I just want to be remembered as a good person and a kid who followed his dreams… and achieved more than I ever… pic.twitter.com/fbUuVBgXeg
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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