Rafael Nadal's farewell message to Feliciano Lopez after his retirement: "You have made tennis a happier place"

Feliciano Lopez's professional tennis career has come to an end on 29 June 2023. At the age of 41, the Spaniard has officially retired from the ATP circuit after losing in the quarter-finals of the Mallorca Championships against Yannick Hanfmann. In an afternoon of tributes, Rafael Nadal's words of thanks were not lacking.

It was a withdrawal foretold. Lopez had managed to win the first two matches of the tournament, but even before the tournament - to which he gained access with a wildcard - it was already known that the event on the Mediterranean island was going to be the last of his career.

That is why, after his defeat against Hanfmann, Feliciano López received numerous gestures of gratitude, such as having received a match ball as a gift or a video tribute that was projected on the scoreboard of the court that witnessed his last match as a professional. There were also words of thanks from Nadal, who has followed his compatriot's tournament in Mallorca very closely.

"We have shared many moments together, some sad and difficult," said Rafael Nadal. "But I think that in general you have been a person who has helped to make the circuit a happier place. On a personal level you have always been a person who has been very close to me since I came to professional tennis, and you have made everything more peaceful and enjoyable for me. You will be sorely missed.