Rafa Nadal’s emotional farewell: “I feel super privileged”

Rafael Nadal became the center stage after the ending in a tie between Spain and the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals. This is the Balearic player’s farewell.

Rafa Nadal’s farewell

“Good evening everyone. I have to thank so many people it’s hard to start.

I’ll start with the ones here today. Thank you all, public. Honestly, it’s been twenty years of a professional career where you’ve always brought me along, in good times and in bad times where you’ve pushed me to keep fighting. I was able to revive them with all of you. I want to generalize to the whole of Spain and the whole world in general. I am very lucky to receive so much love from all over the world and especially here in Spain.

I want to continue congratulating the Dutch team. I want to thank the whole Spanish team for allowing me to live my dream of playing Davis Cup again. It didn’t happen the way we wanted it to. I wish I could help more but I gave everything I had. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend these last few days as a team professional. I have lived many of the most special moments of my career with many of you here. It has been a privilege. We have achieved incredible things and I need you to follow. A thousand thanks to all of you.

The truth is that you don’t want to reach this moment. I’m not tired of playing tennis, but the body reaches a point where it doesn’t want to play anymore. You have to accept the situation. I feel very privileged to have been able to make one of my hobbies my career, for much longer than I thought possible.

Thank you for life and everyone with me. Family, team, friends. You have been an unforgettable part of my daily life all these years. I am a person who believes in continuity, in keeping the people who truly love you and make your life better. This is what I’ve tried all my life: to support the team, the family. That led me to have a personal relationship with you that was more than professional. Thank you very much because without you this would not be possible.

I want to thank everyone who was by my side at some point. Companies, aid, RFET, sponsors. Without exception. I am grateful for the trust and unconditional support. They made me feel safe and good to be part of everyone’s family. Thank you all so much.

I don’t want to forget the media. You have told my story to me in many places around the world. Thank you for how you treat me so often. I feel you treat me very well and always have a relationship of respect. I really appreciated how you were able to tell my story, which for me was beautiful. There were bad moments, but most were memorable. Thank you for being part of my story.

Throughout the sports industry. ATP, ITF, RFET, Balearic Federation… All of you who make this sport at the top of the world, global, and moving masses. I encourage you to continue on the path you have been on for a long time. I am a great sports fan. I will continue to be here and I hope to continue to be a good ambassador for tennis.

This is what I have tried all my life. Strive every day to be better, to reach goals. I tried to do it from respect, from humility, appreciation for the good things that happened to me.
I tried to be a good person, which is the most important thing in the world. I hope you felt that way.

I will leave this world of professional tennis with many friends along the way. I have so much to be thankful for and it’s hard to remember them all. I leave with the peace of mind of leaving a legacy not only in sports, but also personally, because of the love I receive around the world.

I want to say goodbye by thanking my family for always keeping my feet on the ground. All changes in life involve a process of adaptation. I am calm because I have a great family around me that helps me with everything I need on a daily basis.

Thank you very much.”