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 trustworthy, I miss it zero,” Nadal advised the media in Madrid. “Not as a result of I ended up drained or combating with tennis, in no way.
“I ended up blissful and if I may I’d have continued enjoying, tennis has made me blissful all my life.
“Once you understand that you would be able to’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 may very well be there enjoying.”
After all, Nadal stays concerned within the sport day by day operating his Rafa Nadal Academy in his native Mallorca.
The 38-year-old Spanish famous person stated understanding his physique may not compete at an elite stage made parting much less painful.
“After I noticed that my physique was not going to get well to the extent I wanted to proceed having fun with the best way 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 whole lot of matches, however I watch those that curiosity me and I comply with the outcomes as a result of I am keen about sport.”
In a stirring salute, followers stood and chanted “Rafa! Rafa!” throughout Nadal’s last 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 wonderful 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 prefer to succeed buddy David Ferrer as Spanish captain.
“I do not know, this cannot be predicted. I am keen about sports activities, however you need to mark your approach ahead,” Nadal stated. “I’ve just lately completed a protracted highway, and I’ve to arrange for what’s coming.
“I’ve had a household and a crew which have ready what I appreciated for the long run, and I do not know what can occur with this type of factor.
“Clearly I generally is a candidate to be captain, however there need to be circumstances that I haven’t got in the present day. I am not saying no, in no way, however all the time having our sights set in a number of years.”
