Rafa Nadal’s career ended this Tuesday with the elimination of Spain from the Davis Cup, bringing his farewell in a few days. Although the Spaniard announced that this tournament will be his last participation, many dream of the greatest joy, lifting the Davis Cup in Malaga together with Carlos Alcaraz. However, the result was different: emotional speech, tears and standing ovation from the crowd was his mark on Martín Carpena.
This ends one of the best careers in tennis history, but Nadal now faces a major change. The practice of education and competition gives way to new challenges, even with a special responsibility. During his career he earned 123 million euros in ATP awards and his fortune is estimated to reach 550 million dollars, thanks to support from companies such as Nike, Movistar, Sabadell, Kia and Richard Mille.
The former tennis player will focus on his family and business, especially focusing on the Rafa Nadal Academy. The center, which combines sports and academic studies, is the place where promises such as Casper Ruud have been trained. In addition, Nadal is involved in renovations, real estate and cosmetics, and works as a tennis ambassador for the federal government of Saudi Arabia, a job that has caused controversy.
In his farewell speech, Nadal highlighted the important role of his family in his life: “They have never failed me, they have been with me in difficult times and kept my feet on the ground when everything was going well.” His hobbies, such as golf and sailing, will take his time, but the possibility of a future in the leadership of Real Madrid remains open, an idea that he himself considered attractive.
Nadal’s retirement closes the best part of the Spanish game, but it opens the door to new challenges for the man who has passed through tennis and continues to be a world star.