By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Photograph credit score: Laureus World Sports activities Awards Fb
Rafael Nadal closed the curtain on his good profession at Davis Cup final November.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion continues to earn honors.
King of Clay Nadal was honored with the Sporting Icon award on the Laureus Sports activities Awards in Madrid on Monday.
It’s the fifth Laureus award for Nadal, who met the media in Madrid for a Q&A.
Nadal shared he doesn’t miss tennis—as a result of he feels fulfilled by what he achieved within the sport.
“I do not miss it, to be sincere, I miss it zero,” Nadal instructed the media in Madrid. “Not as a result of I ended up drained or preventing with tennis, under no circumstances.
“I ended up joyful and if I might I might have continued enjoying, tennis has made me joyful all my life.
“While you understand which you could’t, you attempt to shut the stage, and I’ve closed it. It took me so long as it took as a result of I wanted time to be satisfied that the choice I used to be making was proper. What I might have taken very badly is the concept of me being on the couch at house considering that I might be there enjoying.”
After all, Nadal stays concerned within the sport day by day working his Rafa Nadal Academy in his native Mallorca.
The 38-year-old Spanish famous person mentioned figuring out his physique might now not compete at an elite stage made parting much less painful.
“After I noticed that my physique was not going to recuperate to the extent I wanted to proceed having fun with the best way I must, I made the choice to cease,” Nadal mentioned. “I do not miss it as a result of I ended up with the peace of thoughts that my physique could not take it anymore.
“I comply with tennis, I do not watch loads of matches, however I watch those that curiosity me and I comply with the outcomes as a result of I am enthusiastic about sport.”
In a stirring salute, followers stood and chanted “Rafa! Rafa!” throughout Nadal’s remaining singles match at Davis Cup final November.
Parting might be poignant.
Feelings erupted all through as Botic Van de Zandschulp defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in what was the ultimate singles match of his superb profession.
A faithful Davis Cup participant, who additionally received Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles for Spain, Nadal was requested if he’d sometime prefer to succeed buddy David Ferrer as Spanish captain.
“I do not know, this cannot be predicted. I am enthusiastic about sports activities, however you need to mark your approach ahead,” Nadal mentioned. “I’ve just lately completed a protracted street, and I’ve to arrange for what’s coming.
“I’ve had a household and a workforce which have ready what I favored for the longer term, and I do not know what can occur with this type of factor.
“Clearly I could be a candidate to be captain, however there need to be circumstances that I haven’t got as we speak. I am not saying no, under no circumstances, however all the time having our sights set in just a few years.”
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