Tennis great and Spanish national team member Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement after he participates in the Davis Cup. The 22 Grand Slam winner who is 38 years of age will conduct the last retirement in Malaga at the Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena on November 19.
He in turn wrote a touching eulogy for Nadal, seeing that he is one of the Federation’s oldest arch-rivals and perhaps the dearest. Also a retiree, Federer said he bowed out of the sport in 2022, having won 20 Grand Slam crowns, and commended Nadal, for the uniqueness that is him, in this sport.
What did Roger say about retirement of Rafael Nadal?
“Rafa, everywhere you went in tennis, the whole world was full of yourself,” said Instagram rhetorically by Federer. When he was reminiscing about the rivalry that the two shared, he could not help but admit that Nadal was the best even out of all clay courts. “It was as if I walked into your house. You took me to places where I never thought I would ever go,” he said.
The two played 40 matches, out of which Nadal emerged victorious in 24. Federation remembered their very first encounter, which took place in 2004, very well. He even lost to a novice 17-year-old Nadal in Miami that year. “It’s not that people were surrounding you making noise for no reason,” said Fed about Mullor’s will and ability to play.
Rafa’s 14 French Open titles were declared as ‘historic’ and lauded, too. His last participatory event where he remained composed yet active as a participant was at the 2022 Laver Cup, where he played alongside his partner “Fedal” one last time.
“It was one of the best moments of my career, playing on the court with you, hugging you, and crying with you that night,” said Federer.
However, Nadal, who is relatively modest and strong-willed, said that his attention is directed to this last competition and has called it ‘the most special one’ in his professional career. All his fans are looking forward to his very last show for the Spanish national team, this time against the Netherlands.
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