Rafa Nadal’s complete speech in his emotional farewell to Roland Garros

Rafa Nadal went to public French in local language. There are also general words in English, the dominant language in the professional circuits of this sport. He changed to Spanish when the most sensible part arrived, the message to family, team and friends.

This is the whole text, which is about not reading in full of Rafa Nadal, Due to a snap she had lost the sheet to make a reference accurately with her husband Mery, her parents Sebastià and Ana María Her sister Maribel. He recovered it right away:

In French.

Good afternoon everyone. I don’t know where to start, because after playing this track for the last 20 years, after the fun, suffering, won, lost … most of all, after being happy every time I had a chance to be here!

In English

My Infinite Ghils (Moretton), Amélie (Maursm) and the entire Roland Garros team for giving me the opportunity to say goodbye, without doubt, the most important tennis court of my career.

This is an incredible story that began in 2004, when I arrived in Roland Garros for the first time. I could hardly walk because of a foot injury, but that year I climbed to the top of the track with crutches and, seeing it from there, I dreamed of returning next year to compete.

In 2005 I can play here for the first time. I was 18 years old, and my first great experience was the game I played against my childhood and rival friend Richard Gasquet. Since that day I have fully understood what Roland Garros meant.

I have lived everything for 20 years. I had incompatible -believed rivals like Andy, Novak, Roger… And, of course, many others have brought me to a physical and mental limit. Really, there would be no excitement without these long -term rivals that pushed all of us to improve every day.

Roland Garros is unique, not only for being a major part of tennis history, but also for all people who are constantly working, always with a smile, to make this contest what it is: unique!

I can’t name everything, but I want to thank the former FFT presidents especially: Christian, Jean, Bernard and now Gilles. Din a Guy forgetAnd people who can’t know, but who support me in all possible ways between racks: Aude, Sophie, Amal, Aurel, Gilbert. All of these have shown me so much kindness and love that I have no words to thank them for everything they have done for me.

In Spanish

Here at the gallery that kindly produced us, many people wanted to accompany me at this time: family, team and friends that I didn’t know where to start; I will do this for my lifelong friends and have always been an important pillar for me.

With sponsors who have trusted me for years, in moments of poverty they have not stopped believing in me.

Of all the coaches, those who prepared the physical and Fisios who at some point in my career were with me and helped me grow.

In my usual team you have become a second family for me: Gemma, Nuria, ángel, Tuts, Gustavo, Bulet, Tomeu, Francis, Charly, Joan, Rafel, Benito and Carlos;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; I can only tell you thank you everyone, really, you have been the best team I have ever made professionally and especially on a personal level. What we have lived with all these people are together is unforgettable. Thanks!

My Family: My uncles and my grandparents have been taking care of me and you have done everything to make me happy. You already know how important you are and you are in my life. I can’t thank you. To my cousins:…. You know, I’d rather not talk about you.

With my two grandparents, with 94 and 92, I have a great fortune here and where I spent a big part of my childhood. And to my grandparents where they are, I am grateful for everything they have done for me and I miss them.

ToniYou are the reason why I’m here. Thank you for having a big part of your life to want to be with me. Training, speaking, cheating, doing me suffering, making me laugh, I was taken to the limit. What we have lived is not always easy, but it is worth it. For our way of being, you and I are not very expressing emotions, but I want you to know that my gratitude for having sacrificed for me, is endless! You will, without any doubt, the best coach I can have!

Mery: You are my best life partner. We can’t imagine in 2005 that we are here 20 years later as a family! You are always there where I need you, leaning from a position that is not always easy. I look forward to making you as happy as you do with me.

You know and this past year and a half have not been easy, but thanks to your understanding, your support and the energy and happiness our child gives us day -day, everything is less complicated.

Dad, Mom and Maribel: You have been my greatest inspiration and the pillars of my life.

Thanks for always treating me as a child and a brother and not as a successful tennis player. Thanks to all the examples and values ​​of the effort, respect and education you instill on me every day. And thank you for giving me everything in every way. I can’t get back what you do and you’ve done for me! I love you!

French farewell

Finally: Thanks France, thank you Paris!

You gave me an emotion and moment that I couldn’t imagine. Don’t think about how fun it is to feel expensive and enjoy the place most important. You offered me, as a golden brooch in my career, the opportunity to receive the Olympic Torch of Zidane, You gave me a wonderful statue here in Roland Garros. You made me feel like another French. I can no longer play yours, but my heart and memories will always be linked to this mysterious place and their people.

Thank you so much for everything you did to me.