Rafael Nadal’s profession ended with a really lengthy standing ovation from his crowd. The Spanish tennis participant left tennis with an elimination of his Spain towards Holland within the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals. Rafa fought till the tip, however he was unable to get that time towards Van De Zandshulp that would have been decisive for the qualification to the semifinals.
For as soon as, nonetheless, the sporting disappointment took a again seat, as a result of each single spectator current was there to pay homage to Nadal.
“It’s never easy to stop, I still love tennis to death but I can’t be competitive anymore. My body doesn’t allow me to do it anymore. I hug my family and all my friends. During the twenty years as a professional I tried to change staff as little as possible and I always had the people I loved close to me. I didn’t think I could have such a successful career. My family taught me manners and helped me to always keep my feet on the ground.
Of course they will remember me for the tournaments I won, but I care more about being remembered as a good person. I am privileged to have received the affection of the whole world but especially of the Spanish. I have to congratulate the Dutch guys and say goodbye to my teammates. It didn’t go as I hoped, but I gave everything I had. This is my last day as a professional tennis player. Now it’s up to you guys to continue the work,” mentioned the Spanish champion after the match.
Rafael Nadal© @DavisCup X account
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However what had been the 5 moments that marked Nadal’s profession?
Let’s begin from the start, the primary title on the French Open 2005. The Spaniard revealed himself to the world by beating Mariano Puerta within the closing by 6(6)–7, 6–3, 6–1, 7–5. That was the primary of 14 titles, the start of the legend.
His first Main away from the courts of the Roland Garros Stadium got here within the epic closing of the Wimbledon Championships 2008. That was the event wherein the Spaniard defeated his nemesis Roger Federer for the primary time within the backyard of the Swiss Maestro, stopping his rival after 5 consecutive titles on the All England Membership. Rafa received what is taken into account one of many biggest matches within the historical past of tennis by 6-4, 6-4, 6-(5)7, 6(8)-7, 9-7.
In 2008, Nadal additionally received the Olympic gold medal in singles, in Beijing, beating Fernando González 6-3 6(2)-7 6-3 within the closing. Solely two years later, at 24, Rafa would full the Profession Golden Slam.
And in reality, the victory on the 2010 version of the US Open, beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 within the closing, closed a circle: Rafa grew to become the primary males’s singles participant since Andre Agassi to win 4 Majors and an Olympic gold medal.
Among the many many highlights, because the fifth and final I selected his 14th title on the French Open. In 2022, Rafa defeated Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 within the closing. It was one thing epic, troublesome to repeat sooner or later. Profitable the identical Main 14 instances is one thing that defies human legal guidelines, one thing that escapes understanding, one thing that turns into fantasy.
