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‘No excuses just play the sport’: Serena, Beckham among those to salute Nadal on social media

  • Posted: Nov 20, 2024

To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal’s historic career at this week’s Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.

Following Rafael Nadal’s final match on Tuesday at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, a host of tennis legends, including Rod Laver, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, paid tribute to the Spanish great on social media.

There was also a considerable outpouring of praise from well-known figures from outside tennis. Messages such as one from former football superstar David Beckham are a reflection of the way Nadal has transcended sport.

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My Influences: What is it like to hit with Alcaraz & Sinner? Van Assche reveals all

  • Posted: Nov 20, 2024

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on the other side of the net to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? According to Luca Van Assche, the pace of the ball, the explosive movement and clean timing make it one of sports biggest tests.

As part of our Next Gen ‘My Influences’ series, the Frenchman opened the lid on his encounters with Alcaraz and Sinner, having hit with the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champions this year.

Van Assche, currently fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, also discusses his memories of facing 2018 champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne, the support from his family and early Roland Garros memories.

[ATP APP]

Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
It’s difficult because there are a lot of different players. But out of my game, I think I connect [most] with the first [champion], Hyeon Chung. He’s very solid. Physically very good. He can hit a lot from the baseline with a very good backhand. I think the other guys are not really my type of game. 

What memorable interactions have you had with the former Next Gen champions?
I played against [Stefanos] Tsitsipas this year at the Australian Open. It was my first time in the third round. It was nice. I practised with him also. I played Medjedovic last year and the others, I think I’ve just practised with Sinner, Alcaraz and Nakashima. 

What stood out to you about those guys when you played with him?
Of course, they have very good games. Sinner and Alcaraz, number one and two in the world. With Alcaraz, I practised with him this year at Roland Garros, right before the tournament. Of course his forehand is incredible. His intensity on the practice court is great. With Sinner, I practised with him this year in Monte-Carlo. His capacity to take the ball early and play so fast — is something crazy.

Read More
My Influences: Shang on Alcaraz experience & parents’ support
My Influences: How Sinner helped Fonseca make this critical decision…
My Influences: Gaubas opens up on ‘amazing’ Alcaraz experience
My Influences: Tien trusting the process & bouncing off Michelsen
My Influences: Quinn on ‘grounded’ Sinner & Paul’s mentorship

What is your first memory of watching professional tennis?
When I was a kid, I watched a lot of matches. Every year I watched Roland Garros on TV. I watched the Davis Cup when France played. 

Is there a Roland Garros match that you remember watching?
Of course I saw the Novak-Rafa 9-7 in the fifth [in 2013]. Then I saw the final against [David] Ferrer. I went a couple years to Roland Garros when I was a kid. I was living in Lyon and I went to see the quarter-finals. I saw Tommy Haas against Djokovic in the quarters [in 2013]. I saw Nadal against Ferrer, also in the quarter-finals [in 2014]. I went to the train early with my family, we went there, watched the match and went back to Lyon in the evening. It was nice memories. On TV, I think every afternoon after school I was going home and putting it on the TV.

Who have been some of the general influences in your life over the years, whether it be parents, early coaches, other people who have influenced you?
I think my parents because I lived with them since I was a kid and I still live with them. They gave me their education. The person who I am now is because of them. I think also my coach Yannick Quere. From age 11 to this year, I was only with him and seeing him more than my family. He’s an incredible person also. I grew up a lot with him.

Do you have any specific lessons you learned from either your parents or a coach?
My parents taught me a lot — that I need to be a humble person, to work hard to achieve what I want to achieve. Basics in life, but very important. I think also Yannick, he had the same mentality as my parents. Of course, it’s very important to play well in tennis because he was my tennis coach, but the most important is also the part outside the court. You need to be a good person, not just a good tennis player. That’s a little bit what they taught me.

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Moya: The privilege of being with Rafa

  • Posted: Nov 20, 2024

I first met Rafa when he was 11 years old, in Stuttgart. He was playing in a tournament on the Nike Junior Tour, in the under-12 category, and I was playing in the Masters 1000 in the same city. I think that at that time it was part of the Super 9 or Masters Series category, I can’t remember now. I was playing with Becker and Rafa came to the practice the day before with someone from Nike, who introduced him to me. They asked me to play 10 minutes with him, and we knocked up for a bit. That was the first time we crossed paths. I thought he was a very shy and well-mannered boy, who barely spoke. Then on court he was transformed and his intensity was so high for someone of his age.

Later, in 2016, it was such a joy to receive the call from the team, but first I wanted to have a conversation alone with him. He was coming off the back of two seasons where things had not gone well for him, he was 30 years old and didn’t know what to do going forward. We sat down to talk at my house and he laid out his goals for me. I didn’t hesitate in the slightest to accept because I could see he’d be able to achieve them. I was hugely confident and when I saw his desire to try to get back to where he deserved to be, which was at the top and winning Grand Slam titles, I didn’t hesitate to join the project.

With that desire, I knew that he’d be perfectly capable of achieving it.

 

[ATP AWARDS]

Honestly, I thought my new role would be more difficult because it was a big change. We’d been friends for over 20 years, shared a lot together, both on and off the court, and becoming his coach… I was doubtful about how it might work. It’s true that Rafa is very well-mannered and respectful, I’ve never heard him say a single word against his team or his family. That’s something I also valued and it helped me when it came to working with him. I don’t like the word ‘boss’, but sometimes you make decisions or you have conversations that aren’t easy and it’s hard travelling and spending so much time together. I was scared that that could erode the friendship side of it, but it wasn’t the case.

During that time, I’d say that nothing surprised me, but I admired a lot of things. I wasn’t at all surprised because my expectations had always been so high with him. But it is true that you are always amazed with his capacity to evolve and improve.

Personally, I’m fascinated by the fact that he can play every point as if the previous one didn’t happen, that’s so hard to do in tennis. Rafa is able to put anything bad that happens to one side and forget it. That’s one of the keys that allow him to fight for every point, every set, every match; one of the keys that have allowed him to go so far. The definition of resilience, a word that is very fashionable, is Rafa. He has fallen many times, particularly with injuries, and he has always got back up and come back. All those skills are incredible and they’d surprise me in anyone else I didn’t know, but I know Rafa… It doesn’t surprise me, but it makes me admire him a lot.

Now that everything is over, I have many memories of an incredible period of my life that will never be matched. It’s something I’ll always carry with me. I’m grateful that he thought I could form part of his team for this adventure. I’ve learned so much, I’ve had the chance to spend eight years with one of the greats in the history of this sport and my memories of it are wonderful.

 

Of course, there will be things I’ll miss, but they’re things I’m grateful for. Having enjoyed all that time with a player like him, with a person like him, all the experiences we’ve had together with the team…

I’m sure there’ll be moments when I’ll look back and feel nostalgia, but I always look at new beginnings as a positive thing. Fortunately, I have a wonderful family with whom I’ll be able to spend a lot of time. I’m sure I’ll feel nostalgia, but what I feel above all is gratitude and appreciation.

*Carlos Moyà was Rafael Nadal’s coach from 2017 to 2024

 

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Dutch double seals Nadal's fate in Malaga

  • Posted: Nov 20, 2024

Wesley Koolhof made sure to remind everyone that Rafael Nadal wasn’t the only one retiring from professional tennis this week at the Davis Cup in Malaga.

The 35-year-old, competing in his final tour-level event, teamed up with Botic van de Zandschulp to secure a vital 7-6(4), 7-6(3) victory over Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers on Tuesday evening to book The Netherland’s spot in the semi-finals. Defeat for Spain ensured that Nadal’s straight-sets loss to Van de Zandschulp in the first singles rubber was the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s final match as a pro.

“I reached a very, very high level today, which I am very happy about,” said Koolhof. “I think we, as a team, did an amazing job again. Botic told me he struggled on returns, but as long as he made it on match point, I’m happy. This was one of my best matches of the year. I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Producing assured tennis on both serve and return to keep his playing career alive, Koolhof was at the heart of their two-hour, 12-minute victory. A string of sizzling return winners and classy net play in key moments sent the Dutch duo on their way to reaching the last four in the Davis Cup for the first time since 2001.

“Wesley helped me a lot there, he returned unbelievably,” said Van de Zandschulp. “He played amazing, it’s a shame he is going to retire after this event. We could use him next year. It’s been an incredible day.”

Alcaraz, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, had levelled the quarter-final tie at 1-1 with his triumph over Tallon Griekspoor, and it seemed as if he was pulling Spain to an epic comeback when he fired a forehand winner to break Van de Zandschulp’s serve in the second set. The tactical input and emotional support from Nadal on the sidelines didn’t prove enough, however, as the Dutch duo refused to roll over.

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Nadal takes final bow: ‘Super fortunate to receive so much affection’

  • Posted: Nov 20, 2024

To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal’s historic career at this week’s Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.

“Gracias, Rafa!”

The thousands of fans packing out Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena chanted in unison on Tuesday evening, vocalising the feelings of the entire sporting world to become a wall of affection for Rafael Nadal, whose glittering career had just concluded.

Surrounded by his teammates, with whom he had just bowed out of the battle for the famous Salad Bowl in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup, the Spaniard addressed the centre court with his final farewell to professional tennis.

“I’m the one who should be thankful… to so many people that it’s difficult to know where to start,” began Nadal, while the universally unmistakable “Vamos, Rafa!” chant rang out.

 

[ATP AWARDS]

It was to those singing his name, giving their hero a standing ovation, that he first spoke. “Honestly, it’s been 20 years of a professional career in which you have always buoyed me, during good moments you helped me win the next point and in difficult moments you pushed me to keep fighting. In Spain and in the world in general, I’ve felt super fortunate to receive so much affection.”

Nadal congratulated the opposing team for progressing to the semi-finals, but also his teammates, so many of whom were with him for a large stretch of his time on tour.

“I’d like to thank the entire Spanish team who are here. All of you have allowed me to play in this Davis Cup. It didn’t turn out as we wanted, I gave everything I had,” he said of their performances in the Final 8. “Many of the most emotional moments of my career have been with many of the people who are here, it’s been a huge privilege. We’ve achieved so many amazing things together and now it’s time for you all to keep achieving them.”

The words represented the handing over of the baton and the conclusion of his incalculable legacy. Nadal has made way for the new generations, as every great sportsman must do. The 38-year-old explained: “The reality is that you never want this moment to come, I’m not tired of playing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to play tennis anymore.

“You have to accept the situation, I feel super privileged. I’ve been able to make one of my hobbies into my career, and it was much longer than I would have imagined. I can only be grateful to life,” he added.

Nadal did not forget his sponsors, the press, the tennis institutions and the tennis industry. He also had words for the friends he has found in the sport, but above all, he had a very special message for those closest to him, his family and team, who were in the stands.

“I’m calm because I received an education that allows me to approach [my new life] with peace of mind. I have a great family around me who help me,” he said to his loved ones with a tear in his eye.

Squatting in the middle of the court, Nadal then watched video messages of affection from many of those who have been around him throughout his career. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as well as the likes of Serena Williams, Andrés Iniesta, Iker Casillas, David Beckham, Rodrigo Hernández, Conchita Martínez and Sergio García.

Before leaving the court, his captain, friend and teammate, David Ferrer, gave him a final send-off.

“We’ll miss you so much, that ‘Vamos, Rafa!’ will never be forgotten. You’ve provided a role model for any person or player to aspire to,” he said. “I always say that the best way to learn is by example and you’ve been our example. There are people who are remembered for their achievements, some until the end of their lives, and others eternally. You will be the latter.”

19 November 2024 will forever be remembered as the day that one of the biggest stars ever to grace the ATP Tour had his swansong. Meanwhile, the entire sporting world chants in unison: ‘Vamos Rafa! Gracias, Rafa!’

 

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