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Feliciano Lopez says one factor that many do not find out about Rafael Nadal is that he’s “a really shy individual” but additionally somebody who could be “very humorous” when feeling comfy round somebody.
The 43-year-old, who retired from professional tennis final 12 months and now serves because the Davis Cup event directed, witnessed first-hand the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s farewell in Malaga earlier this week.
Since Lopez stayed in professional tennis for a shocking 26 years, he was principally there throughout Nadal’s total profession. Throughout that point, he obtained to know the 38-year-old extraordinarily properly on and off the courtroom. In addition they achieved main success collectively as they have been quite a few occasions Davis Cup colleagues – each completed with 4 titles within the competitors.
Now that Nadal has joined him within the tennis retirement neighborhood, Lopez had some touching phrases about who the 38-year-old was as a participant and individual.
“I’m very grateful, very grateful for every little thing he has achieved for the game. He’s a really shy individual; that is one thing that in all probability no one is aware of. The second you get to know him a bit of bit extra, he could be very humorous. Every little thing he does he does with ardour. It is vitally good to see somebody with a lot enthusiasm for every little thing he does,” the previous seven-time ATP champion informed Evening Standard.
“One of many causes for him to be such an amazing competitor is self-belief. Loads has been stated relating to his perspective on courtroom and health situation, however I feel he’s nice tennis participant. Technically, tactically, he’s in all probability if not one of the best one then the second or third within the historical past of the game. Tennis-wise, he’s so highly effective. It is vitally troublesome to face somebody that’s enjoying with the identical quantity of depth each single level and doesn’t provide you with any break in any respect.”
Lopez explains why there is no such thing as a want to fret about Nadal’s subsequent chapter
Though the final couple of years have been fairly tough and difficult health-wise, the document 14-time French Open champion did not wish to merely give up earlier than squeezing every little thing that he had left in his physique. And in Malaga, he confirmed that he was at peace together with his resolution as a result of he knew that he reached his closing vacation spot.
In 2022, Nadal grew to become a father for the primary time and his child son was current at a few of his matches this 12 months. Now that he’s retired, he’ll in all probability focus extra on his household but additionally his tennis academy.
But when somebody is anxious concerning the Spaniard’s future, Lopez says there may be zero cause to fret abot that as a result of he’s satisfied that the 38-year-old will proceed to dwell a contented life.
“I’ve at all times been very near him. I simply want Rafa the easiest for his life, for this new chapter. I feel he’s going to be very completely satisfied, as a result of he’s a really passionate individual, very lively, prepared to do issues on a regular basis. I’m positive he’s going to take pleasure in his life after tennis,” the 2016 French Open doubles champion stated.
Nadal stored it fairly humble in his speech
All through his profession, the Spanish tennis icon was by no means the one to brag about himself. And after his profession formally got here to an finish, he did not wish to converse an excessive amount of about his main accomplishments. As a substitute, he recalled being “a child from a small village” who was dreaming to in the future play professional tennis however achieved greater than anticipated.
“The title, the numbers are there, so the folks in all probability know that. I wish to be remembered as a very good individual from a small village in Majorca. I had the luck. My uncle was a tennis coach in my village after I was a small child, and I had an amazing household that supported me in each single second. Only a child who adopted their dream and labored as onerous as potential to be what I’m in the present day,” a teary Nadal stated.
“On the finish of the day, lots of people work onerous and check out their greatest each single day, however I’m one of many very fortunate ones that life gave me a chance to dwell an unforgettable expertise because of tennis. So, I simply wish to be remembered as a very good individual, a child who adopted their desires and achieved greater than they dreamed.”
Since Spain was the favourite to beat Netherlands, the hope was that the 38-year-old may cap off his profession with one closing title. Had Spain defeated Netherlands, Nadal and Co. would have performed in opposition to Germany within the semifinal on Friday.
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