“When it doesn’t make sense anymore…”: Nadal and his farewell to tennis

Table of Contents

• 1 Rafael Nadal: “If I could, I would keep playing”
• 2 Nadal knows: There is no Hollywood limit for him
• 3 Nadal played his last match at the Olympic Games
• 4 Nadal makes it clear: “I’m not here to retire”
• 5 A big ticket ran for the game against the Netherlands
• 6 Federer and Djokovic pay tribute to Rafael Nadal
• 7

One of the greatest tennis careers is coming to an end. Rafael Nadal returns to the tennis court again. But is he really playing? There are still questions and uncertainties.

Rafael Nadal’s final appearance in storm-ravaged Malaga pushed even the serious concerns about the impact of the climate disaster into the background for a few days. There is a large poster on the front of the Palacio de deportes José María Martín Carpena. It has “GRACIAS, RAFA” (Thank you Rafa) written on it in big letters.

Rafael Nadal: “If I could, I would keep playing”

Because after 22 years on the tour, the tennis titan of Spain is coming to an end this week. Plagued by many injuries, Nadal ended his impressive career at the Davis Cup finals. “It doesn’t work anymore,” the 38-year-old said in a video message in October. “If I could, I would play,” Nadal said on Monday in Malaga. But he just doesn’t work anymore.

Of course Paris would have been a logical place where this particular tennis course would end. On no other court has Nadal celebrated as much success and dominated the tournament as well as the Philippe Chatrier Court at the Stade Roland Garros. The Spaniard won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the French Open. Also his last in 2022.

Nadal knows: There is no Hollywood limit for him

Even back then, many assumed that Nadal would use his victory speech to announce the end of his career. But the Mallorcan love of tennis was just too good to stop. So Nadal tried again and again to fight back for two more years. But his hard play over the years just took too much of a toll.

There is no such thing as a goodbye, said Nadal, who has won 1,080 matches in his career. “Film endings are for American movies. “I realized a long time ago that I wouldn’t have one like that,” admitted the long-time world number one. Winning the Davis Cup with Nadal on the court would be something very special. “That would be a great farewell for me and a joy for all of us.”

Nadal played his last match at the Olympic Games

Nadal played his last official match at the Paris Olympics in the second round against long-time rival Novak Djokovic. At the end of July he was no longer an equal opponent.

Now he is returning to the tennis court for the last time in his home in Spain. In what state is the big question. “I was able to prepare well,” Nadal said of recent training days at his own academy in Mallorca. “I’m here to enjoy this week and then we’ll see what happens,” said Nadal when he arrived in Malaga.

Nadal makes it clear: “I’m not here to retire”

The focus should be on the sport, not on the end of his career. “It doesn’t bother me. I’m not here to retire, but to help the team.” – Holland.

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Of course, everyone is hoping that Nadal will play again in singles later this week. Tickets for the hosts’ game against Holland on Tuesday (5pm) sold out within hours. “We could have filled the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu,” said tournament director Feliciano Lopez, referring to Real Madrid’s soccer stadium, which has a capacity of around 80,000 spectators.

A big ticket ran for the game against the Netherlands

But there will only be around 11,300 spectators in Malaga, including stars from sports, shows and politics. “Of course we are planning a farewell for this special athlete and person,” Lopez said. The problem is that no one knows when Nadal’s last appearance will be.

Already on Tuesday against the Netherlands? Or just in the semi-final, maybe against Germany? Or even in Sunday’s final? And will Nadal even play again? Or is his time as an agent coming to an end? “If it doesn’t make sense, I’ll be the first to say it,” promised Nadal, who is in close contact with the head of the Spanish team, David Ferrer.

Federer and Djokovic pay tribute to Rafael Nadal

Until a decision is made, all of Nadal’s appearances will be closely scrutinized. Every move is carefully scrutinized in Spain. Nadal’s mania knows almost no bounds. The Spanish tennis legend is trying to enjoy the last days of his career as much as possible despite the hype. “I’m excited to end a long and wonderful part of my life,” Nadal said. “You have to accept that everything has a beginning and an end.”

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After Roger Federer, Nadal is the second of the big three to retire. “I always hoped this day would never come,” said the Swiss. “Thank you for pushing me to my limits so many times in our rivalry, which shaped me as the greatest player,” said the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who, unlike Nadal, will play next year despite his 37 years. (aw/dpa)