Like Rafa Nadal, the Dutch tennis player Wesley Koolhofformer world number one in doubles, will retire after this 2024 Davis Cup where he directly participated in the elimination of Spain in the quarterfinals, so He is “happy” to be the Mallorcan “who first said goodbye” to tennis.
The 2024 Davis Cup is the unwanted farewell, albeit decaffeinated, for a tennis legend like Rafael Nadal. Spain was eliminated earlier than expected by the Netherlands teamwhere there is also a player living out his last days on a track.
Born 35 years ago in Zevenaar, eastern Netherlands, Koolhof had a modest career as a ‘singlist’, but Featured as a doubles player, where he reached the world summit in 2022with Neal Skupski, who achieved world number 1, winning seven titles, including Wimbledon in 2023.
Last Tuesday he participated in Spain’s doubles elimination, confirming Nadal’s final farewell. “The other night was between Rafa and me, so personally I’m happy that Nadal was the first to say goodbye.. At least I extended my career for a few days,” said the Dutchman in remarks to the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
He was honored last week in Turin, at the ATP Finals. This is also after the Dutch trip to this world cup. “I’m not a very emotional person, to be honest. I don’t think too much about the fact that every game could be the last.”, he admitted.
“I want to retire at a good time, finish another year on a strong note. I won five ATP titles, three Masters and I had an incredible last season,” said Koolhof, who in almost twenty years on the ATP circuit has won 21 titles, five of them this year with Nikola Mektic.
“I know I still have the level to continue playing for another five or seven years, but it’s time for something new.. I have never doubted my decision, and I have no regrets,” added the Dutchman, who faced Germany this Saturday in the semifinals of the Davis Cup.
“It was great to play against Spain on Tuesday, there was a lot of emotion in the stands and between the teamsbut I live it in a calmer way,” he commented on his serene attitude. As he showed against Spain, it is difficult to see him high.
“There are a few more games, maybe two more. and that’s all“, closed Koolhof, who together with Botic Van de Zandschulp eliminated Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers on the last point of the quarterfinals. If he had lost, it would have been his last match as a professional tennis player. It would have been the end of one Rafael Nadal Parera.
Source: La Verdad
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