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Welcome Qatar
6 days ago
- Welcome Qatar
Sport News
Federer, Nadal bid to dethrone Djokovic (Sport | Tennis) Shanghai: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal enter this week's Shanghai Masters bidding to unseat current champion Novak...
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
‘Fab four' reunited at Roland Garros as Nadal is honoured
PA Media/DPA Paris Rafael Nadal was joined by old rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray as he returned to the French Open for a ceremony in his honour. The 'fab four' were reunited as Nadal, the 14 time-champion, was presented with a special 'legend' trophy, while a plaque bearing his footprint was unveiled on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the scene of all his triumphs. Nadal, who retired last year, broke down in tears as he gave an emotional speech but then burst out laughing when he realized he had misplaced one of the pages, with a ball kid rushing on to hand him the missing sheet. It was one of the only times he forgot his lines at the Paris grand slam during almost two decades of dominance in which he won 112 of his 116 matches. Nearly every member of the 15,000 crowd was given a clay-coloured T-shirt to wear, bearing the message 'Merci Rafa'. Those who were not instead wore white tops, creating a mosaic in the stands spelling out 'RG 14 X', and 'RAFA' between two love hearts. The 38-year-old, known as the 'King of Clay', walked out to stadium announcer Marc Maury's famous introduction, listing every one of the 14 years he won the title. Wearing a black suit and shirt, Nadal stood alone in the middle of the scene of his greatest triumphs as a video montage of those victories played out on the big screen. Afterwards, he addressed the crowd in French, English and Spanish, saying: 'This is tough. I've been playing on this court for last 20 years. 'Where I am standing I enjoyed, I suffered, I won and I lost, I lived many emotions on that court - without a doubt the most important tennis court of my career. 'In 2005 I played for the first time aged 18, my first major experience. From that day on I fully understood what Roland Garros meant. 'I've experienced everything over this 20 years, I've had incredible rivals like Andy, Novak and of course, Roger, and many others who pushed me to my physical and mental limits. 'Roland Garros is unique, a fundamental part of tennis history. Many thanks, for everything.' The big screen then cut to Federer, Djokovic and Murray, who said: 'Hi Rafa. After after all these years, and all these fights, we couldn't let you leave like that. 'We really wanted to leave you a message and let you know your old pals will always be with you.' The three of them then walked out, Djokovic and Murray next to each other despite the recent, unexpected end to their player-coach partnership. As current defending champions Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek watched from the stands, Nadal hugged his former adversaries - the four of them boasting a combined 69 major titles. 'You gave me a hard time on court but I really enjoyed competing with all of you,' he told them. 'We can be good friends even though we had the best rivalries.' It was certainly a more celebratory occasion than his last appearance, when a clearly unfit Nadal suffered a three-set first-round defeat by Alexander Zverev last year, and a fitting way for the Majorcan to say a proper farewell.
Al Jazeera
20-11-2024
- Al Jazeera
Retiring Rafael Nadal's career ends as Spain is ousted at Davis Cup
Rafael Nadal said he has left both a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis at the Davis Cup. The 38-year-old was beaten on Tuesday in the opening singles rubber of the quarterfinals as The Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to reach the final four. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years. 'I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,' Nadal told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honour his retirement. 'I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.' Nadal paid credit to many who have helped him along the way, including his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him as a child and for a large part of his career. 'The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca,' continued Nadal. 'I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment… 'I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.' Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where more than 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close. Former rival Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and other tennis greats left video messages, alongside former Spanish football stars including Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October. 'I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,' said Nadal in his emotional speech. The Spaniard said he hoped to be a 'good ambassador' for tennis in the years to come and was not afraid to begin his retirement. 'I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next,' he explained. 'I have a great family around me who help me with everything that I need every day.' Not the dream ending fans hoped for After Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 to force a doubles decider. Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) victory over Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to bring the curtain down on Nadal's career. World number three Alcaraz, 21, is one of the game's brightest talents and a player some hope can become Nadal's heir. 'His legacy is going to be eternal,' Alcaraz told reporters. 'He has been great for tennis, for the sport in general, it is difficult – at least for me – to feel that I should continue the legacy that he has left. 'It is difficult, almost impossible, I will just try to do my best, right now it's time to say great things about Rafa… 'It is just great to have had Rafa in tennis, in Spain and in my life.' Nadal fought hard in his final match in front of huge home support but ultimately came up short. 'He gave everything he had in the tank, all of his energy… it's sad to see him go but we have to accept it,' added Alcaraz. Spain's Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also paid tribute to Nadal. 'There are people who will be remembered for their achievements in life, others until the end of their days, and others eternally,' said Ferrer. 'You will be remembered eternally.' Nadal thanked fans in Spain in his speech but also around the rest of the world where he found many admirers. In Paris, where he won a record 14 French Open titles and earned the nickname the 'King of Clay', his image was projected onto the night sky in front of the Eiffel Tower. 'I am crying as we speak… Rafael Nadal… What an absolute icon of sport period! There will never be another one like Rafa!' wrote former world number one Boris Becker on social media platform X.
