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Tears, pride and gratitude in Rafa Nadal's last game

Yesterday Rafa Nadal said goodbye to his passion and his profession, tennis, in the same way he has lived every moment of his career: giving his all. The Mallorcan closed an unrepeatable chapter in the history of Spanish sport at El Martín Carpena in Málaga, which witnessed a day full of joy, sadness, but, above all, gratitude.

It was unexpected news that caused the pavilion to fill to capacity in the hope of seeing Rafa compete for the last time. A few hours before the Davis Cup tie between Spain and the Netherlands, it was announced that Rafa Nadal would play in the first match. A big surprise, as the tennis player had not played for months due to various injuries. After months of inactivity due to injuries, the news excited the public.

However, it was not the happy ending that everyone expected for Nadal. The former tennis player was not at his best. Being away from the court for so long took its toll on him. Despite giving his all as always, the score was adverse. ‘I gave everything, as always, but the body has limits,’ he said after the match, with the calm that only he knows how to transmit.

After his match, we saw Nadal living the rest of the tie with emotion from the bench. Every Alcaraz point he celebrated with euphoria and shouts of joy that echoed throughout the pavilion, especially when he tied the match. Demonstrating the unconditional support of a leader who, even in his farewell, continued to pull the cart.

The most emotional moment for Rafa Nadal: the tribute

Despite the fact that the defeat in the double decider left Spain out of the Davis Cup, the spirit. The public and the organisation pulled out their strength and paid a tribute to his legend. Under an endless ovation, Nadal went up to the centre of the court accompanied by his family and his teammates, where he watched the video that had been prepared for him of the best moments of his career: his first steps in tennis, the epic finals with his great rivals, Federer and Djokovic... Although, without doubt, the most special were the thanks of so many other sportsmen for the great example that Rafa has set in the world of sport. Iniesta, Federer, Rodri Hernández, Serena Williams, are some of them.

Nadal tried to hold back the tears, but the moment was too emotional. In his speech, brief and sincere, as Rafa is, he made it clear that what was important to him was not the trophies, but all the people who have accompanied him over the years. He thanked his family, friends, teammates and rivals, and even dedicated a few words to the media, showing once again his humility.

The legacy of a giant

Although Rafa's end was not what many of us expected. As on so many occasions, Nadal showed that his greatness goes beyond what happens on the court. In Malaga, it was clear that his true victory lies in the respect and affection he has earned around the world.

Carlos Alcaraz, Marcel Granollers and the rest of the Spanish team could not hold back their tears as they watched him say goodbye. The stands, on their feet, chanted his name with the strength of those who do not want to say goodbye. Because, even if Rafa leaves professional tennis, his legacy will remain.

Nadal will not only be remembered as one of the best tennis players of all time, but also as an example of effort, humility and perseverance. And although tennis will miss his impossible shots and his bites at the trophies, the sport will always remember a man who gave his all until the very last point.