Rafael Nadal

2024 - 11 - 20

Rafael Nadal siger farvel: "Det var ikke planen, men det var på tide!"

Nadal Carlos Alcaraz - Davis Cup - Rafael Nadal - Retirement - Sport legender - Tennis - Nadal

Tennislegenden Rafael Nadal trækker sig tilbage efter en legendarisk karriere og en bittersød finale i Davis Cup mod Holland.

I en rørende aften i Malaga tog Rafael Nadal den svære beslutning om at trække sig tilbage fra professionel tennis, efter en imponerende karriere, der strakte sig over to årtier. Nadal, en 22-dobbelt Grand Slam-mester og elsket sportsikon, blev besejret af den hollandske spiller Botic van de Zandschulp med 6-4, 6-4, hvilket efterlod en bittersød smag hos de mange fans, der havde samlet sig for at hylde ham. Dansende mellem tårerne, takkede Nadal sine tilskuere og delte et øjeblik af ægthed, der kun kunne komme fra en mand, der har dedikeret sit liv til spillet.

Men hvad der kunne have været en triumferende afsked blev til en introduktion til en ny æra. Den unge spanske tennisstjerne Carlos Alcaraz og andre spillere har allerede hyldet Nadals store arv, som mange mener vil være umulig at efterleve. "Vi vil altid se op til Rafa, han har sat standarden for tennis," sagde Alcaraz. Det er med stor beundring og et strejf af melankoli, at man overværede denne overgang, hvor den næste generation står for døren.

Nadal har været kendt for sin uswervrede beslutsomhed og sit utrolige talent, men bag facaden har han kæmpet med skader i en stor del af sin karriere. I takt med at han blev ældre, blev hans krop mere og mere forsømt af slid, men det var hans utrættelige ånd, der gav ham mulighed for at fortsætte det uforglemmelige stykke i tennisens historie. Selvom hans karriere nu er slut, vil fansen altid bære minderne om hans utallige kampe og hans urørlige position i sportens verden.

Rafael Nadal labelede denne afslutning som "en tid til revanche" - en muligheden for at finde nye lidenskaber efter tennis. Alt imens han siger farvel til tennisbanen, åbner han op for den spændende rejse, der ligger foran ham. Vidste du, at Nadal har en passion for at spille poker? Og at han har sin egen tennis-akademi, der hjælper unge talenter med at udvikle deres færdigheder? En ting er sikkert; selvom Nadal afslutter sit kapitel i professionel tennis, er han kun i gang med et nyt, og det er lige så inspirerende!

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Retiring Rafael Nadal's career ends as Spain is ousted at Davis Cup (Aljazeera.com)

Nadal's superlative career was celebrated in front of his home crowd after Netherlands upset Spain in the Davis Cup.

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Rafael Nadal says he will retire from tennis, despite not wanting to (Business Insider)

Rafael Nadal announced that his 20-year career in professional tennis has come to a close. · The 22-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-4, 6-4 to Team Netherlands at ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky Sports"

Rafael Nadal beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp at Davis Cup ... (Sky Sports)

Rafael Nadal retires from tennis after Spain lose to the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals: watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports ...

Rafael Nadal loses at the Davis Cup in what could be his last match (Plattsburgh Press Republican)

Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in what could be the last match of the 22-time ...

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Image courtesy of "ESPN.co.uk"

Carlos Alcaraz hails Rafael Nadal's legacy after retirement - ESPN (ESPN.co.uk)

Carlos Alcaraz has said Rafael Nadal's legacy in tennis is "eternal" and says it is almost impossible to follow in his footsteps.

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Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bids bittersweet farewell to courts (Euronews)

The 38-year-old Spaniard played on tour for more than two decades and collected 22 Grand Slam titles.

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Image courtesy of "Irish Star"

Rafael Nadal's tearful 14-word admission over 'truth' behind ... (Irish Star)

Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup defeat on Tuesday marked his last ever professional tennis match, with the Spaniard telling the Malaga crowd he is retiring against ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Rafael Nadal retires from tennis after 20 years of preparing his body ... (The New York Times)

Nadal's late career has been a story of injuries. The long ending is a reminder of the miracle that he lasted until now.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Carlos Alcaraz hails Rafael Nadal's legacy after retirement - ESPN (ESPN)

Carlos Alcaraz has said Rafael Nadal's legacy in tennis is "eternal" and says it is almost impossible to follow in his footsteps.

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Image courtesy of "Eurosport.com"

Davis Cup finals live: More reaction to Rafael Nadal's retirement as ... (Eurosport.com)

Eurosport is your go-to source for breaking Tennis headlines, including what's happening in Davis Cup live updates. Watch replays, interviews and ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Farewell, Rafael Nadal: it was my pleasure to know one of sport's ... (The Guardian)

Quiet man from Mallorca didn't stop the clock on his ageing body but what a life, what a career – truly tennis's 'real thing'

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Image courtesy of "WBTW"

An emotional Rafael Nadal retires at Davis Cup after he loses, Spain ... (WBTW)

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain's ...

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Image courtesy of "Alabama's News Leader"

Tears and tributes: Rafael Nadal reflects on career after Davis Cup ... (Alabama's News Leader)

"I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one," Nadal said with a wide grin. "So we close the circle."

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Image courtesy of "KGET 17"

Rafael Nadal's legacy is a relentlessness that inspired Carlos ... (KGET 17)

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Not surprisingly, Rafael Nadal couldn't take a step around the grounds of the Davis Cup Final 8 in recent days without hearing requests ...

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Image courtesy of "Bleacher Report"

Carlos Alcaraz: 'Almost Impossible' to Follow Rafael Nadal's Legacy ... (Bleacher Report)

Carlos Alcaraz has already accomplished more at the age of 21 than most tennis players will in their entire career, but he understands trying to equal what…

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Carlos Alcaraz looks back on Rafael Nadal's 'eternal' legacy and ... (Olympics)

Rising Spanish star Alcaraz paid tribute to teammate and idol Rafael Nadal, the two-time Olympic champion who retired at the Davis Cup.

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Image courtesy of "Spectrum News NY1"

An emotional Rafael Nadal retires at Davis Cup after he loses and ... (Spectrum News NY1)

The 22-time Grand Slam champion announced last month this event would be it for him as a professional tennis player.

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Image courtesy of "ATP Tour"

Rafael Nadal: his charity work and foundation | ATP Tour | Tennis (ATP Tour)

Rafael Nadal has engaged himself in numerous charitable endeavours through the Rafa Nadal Foundation and more, throughout the course of his career.

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Image courtesy of "WWLP.com"

Rafael Nadal's legacy is a relentlessness that inspired Carlos ... (WWLP.com)

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Not surprisingly, Rafael Nadal couldn't take a step around the grounds of the Davis Cup Final 8 in recent days without hearing requests ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Rafael Nadal retires: What the 22-time Grand Slam champion ... (BBC News)

Rafael Nadal retires from professional tennis after a 23-year career like no other. On a night of gratitude and grief, Spain led the world in saying ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Rafael Nadal's tennis career: A king of clay who should be ... (The New York Times)

Nadal possessed shotmaking talent, tennis IQ, finesse and flair too often lost in the brick-red dust. Rafael Nadal's greatness on clay has sometimes ...

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Image courtesy of "Tennis Magazine"

Expert Picks: Twelve of our favorite Rafael Nadal matches (Tennis Magazine)

From triumphant victories to a valiant defeat, enjoy a few savory slices—alongside some fearsome forehands—from Rafa's remarkable career.

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Image courtesy of "ATP Tour"

Rafael Nadal passes baton to Carlos Alcaraz | ATP Tour | Tennis (ATP Tour)

Carlos Alcaraz reflects on Rafael Nadal's goodbye words, displaying respect and admiration for his countryman he admires.

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Image courtesy of "Roland-Garros"

Rafael Nadal: his farewell in pictures - Roland-Garros - The official site (Roland-Garros)

A career ends, a legacy begins. On Tuesday, Rafael Nadal bid farewell to tennis with a final Davis Cup match at home in Spain. Relive his emotional last ...

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Image courtesy of "Tennis Magazine"

Jasmine Paolini—finally!—gets her elusive photo with Rafael Nadal (Tennis Magazine)

The smiling snapshot was accompanied by a heartfelt tribute from Paolini to Nadal, whom she described as a "true inspiration to me and sports fans ...

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Image courtesy of "ATP Tour"

Carlos Moya: The privilege of being with Rafael Nadal | ATP Tour ... (ATP Tour)

Rafael Nadal's coach and friend Carlos Moya shares memories about the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has played his last game (NPR)

Tuesday night, tennis legend Rafael Nadal played his last professional game. As Spain was knocked out of the Davis Cup, his career came to an end.

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Image courtesy of "beIN SPORTS USA"

Rafael Nadal: Life After Tennis (beIN SPORTS USA)

The 22-time Grand Slam champion begins a new chapter, one without a racket in hand, strict training schedules, or demanding routines. He's awaiting new habits ...

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has played his last game (WUNC)

Tuesday night, tennis legend Rafael Nadal played his last professional game. As Spain was knocked out of the Davis Cup, his career came to an end.

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Image courtesy of "Roland-Garros"

Rafael Nadal: an immense career in numbers - Roland-Garros - The ... (Roland-Garros)

We take a closer look at the most striking stats from the Mallorcan's sensational career.

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