Rafael Nadal was spotted sharing a heartwarming moment with his two-year-old son in his first public appearance since retirement.
Rafael Nadal was spotted in public for the first time since his retirement. (via NBC Sports)
Rafael Nadal has dominated the news lately, owing to his tennis retirement. He went into the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga knowing that he’d be hanging up his racket for good, and he didn’t have the fairytale ending he hoped for.
On Tuesday, November 19, Nadal played the final match of his career when he represented Team Spain against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Despite his best efforts, he lost 4-6, 4-6 to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Carlos Alcaraz then managed to help Spain launch a comeback by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 and leveling the tie at 1-1. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers then lost the crucial doubles ties 6-7(4), 6-7(3) against Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp.
Despite Spain crashing out of the tournament, the local crowd was preoccupied with Nadal and giving him the farewell he deserved. They chanted the Mallorcan’s name and celebrated his career, while the former World No. 1 got emotional and took it all in.
With his tennis career now well behind him, Nadal was recently spotted with his family leaving a hotel. The 38-year-old was spotted lifting his two-year-old son into the air and kissing him, with his wife Maria Francisca Perello next to him.
Two of the Big Three have now hung up their rackets for good. Rafael Nadal has joined Roger Federer in retirement, and men’s tennis is looking at the end of an era and the start of a new one. However, not everyone is happy with the state of men’s tennis right now.
Nick Kyrgios, who is known as much for his outspoken nature as he is for his tennis abilities, took a dig at the current generation of players in light of the retirement of the sport’s two legends. He stated that the world of tennis was now ‘bland’ following Federer and Nadal’s departure.
As for Kyrgios, he has been on the sidelines for a long time now owing to injury. He did, however, recently announce his plans to return to action early next year, and has even earmarked the Brisbane International as the tournament where he will make his comeback.
