Rafael Nadal has just over a week ago started a new chapter of his life. The Spanish legend withdrew from the Davis Cup Finals amid much applause, although his last dance in Malaga was more melancholic and sad than expected.
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His Spain was immediately eliminated by the Netherlands and the farewell ceremony in Rafa's honor was below expectations, as many fans and insiders remarked. The 22-time Grand Slam champion did not want to raise controversy and greeted all those who contributed to his success, also thanking his greatest rivals (who were not present in Malaga).
The former world No. 1 would have liked to win more in 2024, but the state of his body and his current level did not allow him to compete against the current top players. The 14-time French Open champion gave his all especially at Roland Garros where he was defeated by Sascha Zverev in the first round and at the Paris Olympics, where he did not come close to medals in either singles or doubles with his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
When Rafa announced his decision to skip the US Open and the Laver Cup in Berlin, everyone knew that the time for retirement was imminent. The Davis Cup Finals in Malaga were the ideal setting for his farewell, but Spain's run was much shorter than expected.
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During his recent interviews, the former world number 1 confessed that he is ready to start this new chapter of his life and that he wants to devote himself to many projects in the coming years. Meanwhile, the 22-time Grand Slam champion is enjoying some well-deserved rest.
Rafa was spottedin Marbella
During this week, the Spanish legend was seen in the stands at Anfield Road for the Champions League match between 'his' Real Madrid and Liverpool, won by the English 2-nil.
Rafa was then spottedin Marbella, more precisely at the restaurant called 'Los Marinos Jose', while he was enjoying a lunch with his parents, his sister and his wife.
In recent weeks, Nadal has received many tributes from friends, colleagues and athletes from all sports. One of the most exciting tributes was certainly that of Novak Djokovic, who created one of the most iconic rivalries of the modern era with Rafa. The Serbian and Spaniard have faced each other a total of 60 times on the professional tour, the last of which was at the Paris Olympics this summer.
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Rafa. First all, congratulations on your amazing career Djokovic said in his message.
Your family, your team, yourself should be extremely proud of everything that you have achieved throughout your career that lasted for more than 20 years. In the tennis locker room, we will miss your warmups, your sprints, your jumps, your incredibly competitive parchis, the games that you had with your team before your matches Nole added.
Your tenacity, your fighting spirit, the energy that you brought every single time, the strength, the power, is something that will be studied and is something that will be transferred to many, many generations that are coming up and aspiring to be like you as a person and as a great tennis champion. Ive been very honored and thrilled to be called your rival over the last, almost 20 years, weve played more than 60 matches. I have learned so much in our encounters and thank you very much for also making me the player that I am and that I was over the last 20 years
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The tennis world and the sports world will miss the incredible energy that you brought on the court. My friend, I wish you the very best of luck with your charity foundation, with your family, with your Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy that continues to thrive, that continues to spread around the world where you will be able to spread the experiences and the knowledge and the passion and love you have for the game to the younger generation. Thank you very much and good luck my friend the Serbian legend concluded.
An immortal legend
Djokovic was supposed to be present in Malaga for the farewell ceremony in Nadal's honor, but the arrival of the 24-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled for the semifinals. Spain's untimely and shocking elimination blew everyone away, and the farewell ceremony wasn't such an epic/iconic moment.
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Fans thought the 14-time Grand Slam champion would play again next year, before saying goodbye in one of the tournaments that made him a global icon. The former champion from Manacor had not wanted to receive any tribute in Paris, which is why fans thought he would return in 2025. However, the disappointing results of the last few months have convinced him to say goodbye.
