"No longer enjoying a game of tennis."
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(Madrid) Tennis titan Rafael Nadal, the Spanish maestro, recently declared to the press that the sport is just fine without him, during the Laureus Sports Awards festivities in his hometown. This articulate superstar was feted for his prolific career that wrapped up in 2024.
"Let me put it straight - tennis ain't shedding a tear for me! Not a single one!" Nadal shared candidly. He clarified, "I didn't call it a day 'cause I'd grown weary of tennis or found it a rival. Not at all!"
According to Nadal, he bowed out with a heart full of joy. If offered another shot, he'd jump right back in, as tennis was his burning passion - a sentiment it held since his early days. When he accepted the reality that his physique couldn't adapt to the torrid tennis battles any longer, he decided it was time to draw the curtains.
With the wisdom of a seasoned player, Nadal shared, "I took my time mulling over the call since it would've been tough to idle on the couch, second-guessing whether to keep plugging away."
"Once I realized that my body was unable to bounce back to the same level of vigor to savor the court, I made my move. That's the reason you won't find me pining over tennis since I exited with the peace of mind, knowing I'd poured everything I had into the game, and my body couldn't squeeze out more," he summed up.
Remarkably, he confessed to keeping a tab on tennis results every week. Despite the competitiveness he misses, he's savoring the change of pace in retirement, relishing the distance from the grueling tennis world.
The award-winning 38-year-old, with his 22 Grand Slam titles under his belt, including 14 at Roland-Garros where he'll get a grand send-off in May, seems to be embracing the new era with a tranquil mind.[1][3][4]
- Nadal, despite stepping away from tennis, continues to show interest in the sport, keeping track of the weekly results.
- The Spaniard, known for his dominance in tennis, has 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, a number that includes 14 victories at Roland-Garros.
- Though he announced his retirement from tennis, Nadal said he wouldn't hesitate to return if given the opportunity, showcasing his enduring love for the sport.
- The happy retiree, Nadal, expressed that he finds joy in the change of pace and distance from the intense world of tennis, reflecting a tranquil mind in his new life.
