Rafael Nadal and the tennis world were in tears as our champ retired following the final match of his extraordinary career. Although he had been saying all week that this wasn’t about him, but rather about winning to help Spain advance in the Davis Cup Finals, it seems that David Ferrer and Uncle Toni were not impressed with how the organizers prepared the farewell ceremony in Malaga on Tuesday.
The farewell to someone as important as Rafa was a bit weak. There were very important people missing from his tennis career and people who have been important, both at the level of rivals and also in the team. There was little mention of his team, who spent so many years with his tennis career and I missed those people also having their role, but things are as they are.
You have to accept them and there is little more to say. Rafa will receive certain tributes in big tournaments, as I imagine will be the case at Roland Garros and he will have the farewell he deserves.
Rafa’s greatness deserves something more. The farewell was done with the best of intentions, it was after losing and in a hurry… when you lose you’re sad. I missed Federer, Djokovic, Gasol, who is a close friend of his… he was going to be there on Friday. I shouldn’t have spoken, and look, he’s a close friend of mine, other people should have spoken.
DAVID FERRER
It was emotional, obviously, with the support of the public… But I particularly like that there are images. I would have liked to see images of Rafael’s matches at the Davis Cup in Seville, in Madrid, at Roland Garros, Wimbledon… I think it creates more emotion.
I don’t want to criticise anyone, I would have liked a slightly different event. I appreciate the good intentions, but I would have liked something else.
Nowadays you can do much more emotional events by mixing music with images. Rafael is a guy whose images convey passion. If they had put some images of this, it would have been more up to par, but I appreciate the intention.
TONI NADAL
Do you agree with Uncle Toni and Ferru? How did you feel about the ceremony? We believe that fans around the world will have more opportunities to say goodbye to Rafa and future events will satisfy those who felt something was missing in Malaga.
Now it is finally beginning to sink in. I mean for the past 2 years I e been feeling very sad regarding Rafa’s injuries and ultimate retirement.
Missed you soo much in the last 2 years – didn’t watch much tennis but I hoped against hope that you would return to play a bit at least and be able to pull off a win or two. When I saw you in the first match that you played I realised how far away from that you were.
Also hoped so much that you would play doubles with Carlos but that too didn’t finalise and ultimately Spain lost.
To crown it all your retirement ceremony was held on the same day and I’m sorry to say I was rather shocked! It was abysmal!!!
You Rafa, such a great tennis – one of the very best – a fantastic sportsman – and altogether one of a kind on and off the court. And that sums up the GOAT!
It really hurt to see you there sad and alone and absolutely no celebration. You deserved so so so much more! You could’ve have been sent off in style with pomp and splendour by everyone including all your competitors.
I’ve watched you from the very beginning of your career and now I feel so lost. No one will ever be able to live up to you! There’ll never be another Rafael Nadal – one of a kind.
All the best in your future endeavours. God bless! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️