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 sensible 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 trustworthy, I miss it zero,” Nadal informed the media in Madrid. “Not as a result of I ended up drained or preventing with tennis, in no way.
“I ended up completely satisfied and if I might I’d have continued taking part in, tennis has made me completely satisfied all my life.
“Whenever you understand that 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’d have taken very badly is the concept of me being on the couch at dwelling pondering that I could possibly be there taking part in.”
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 celebrity stated figuring out his physique might now not compete at an elite degree made parting much less painful.
“Once I noticed that my physique was not going to recuperate to the extent I wanted to proceed having fun with the way in which I must, I made the choice to cease,” Nadal stated. “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 a variety of matches, however I watch those that curiosity me and I comply with the outcomes as a result of I am captivated with 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 loyal Davis Cup participant, who additionally gained Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles for Spain, Nadal was requested if he’d sometime wish to succeed buddy David Ferrer as Spanish captain.
“I do not know, this cannot be predicted. I am captivated with sports activities, however you need to mark your method ahead,” Nadal stated. “I’ve not too long ago completed a protracted highway, and I’ve to arrange for what’s coming.
“I’ve had a household and a workforce which have ready what I preferred for the long run, and I do not know what can occur with this type of factor.
“Clearly I could be a candidate to be captain, however there should be circumstances that I haven’t got in the present day. I am not saying no, in no way, however at all times having our sights set in a couple of years.”
