Rafael Nadal’s ‘weak’ farewell ceremony slammed by Spain captain and uncle Toni with Roger Federer conspicuously absent
RAFA NADAL’S farewell ceremony has been criticised by Spain’s Davis Cup captain and the icon’s uncle Toni.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, 38, retired in Malaga on Wednesday after his country’s exit in the Davis Cup Finals.
Nadal, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Botic van de Zandchulp.
He got emotional during the national anthem before the start of play – and was then given a heroic send-off by team-mates and fans in attendance.
A four-and-a-half-minute video was played over the big screen with classy tributes from fellow tennis stars Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Conchita Martinez, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
However, the likes of Federer, Djokovic and Murray were not at the event in person – contrasting Federer’s retirement two years ago.
And Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has admitted he was disappointed by the goodbye.
He said: “The farewell to someone as important as Rafa was a bit weak.
“There were very important people missing from his tennis career and people who have been important, both at the level of rivals and also in the team.
“There was little mention of his team, who spent so many years with his tennis career and I missed those people also having their role, but things are as they are.
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“You have to accept them and there is little more to say. Rafa will receive certain tributes in big tournaments, as I imagine will be the case at Roland Garros and he will have the farewell he deserves.”
He went on to add: “Rafa’s greatness deserves something more. The farewell was done with the best of intentions, it was after losing and in a hurry… when you lose you’re sad.
“I missed Federer, Djokovic, Gasol, who is a close friend of his… he was going to be there on Friday. I shouldn’t have spoken, and look, he’s a close friend of mine, other people should have spoken.”
Nadal’s uncle Toni coached his nephew from childhood up until 2017, helping him win 16 of his 22 Slam titles.
And he too replied “no” when asked if he felt the farewell ceremony was up to scratch.
Toni elaborated by saying: “It was emotional, obviously, with the support of the public… But I particularly like that there are images.
“I would have liked to see images of Rafael’s matches at the Davis Cup in Seville, in Madrid, at Roland Garros, Wimbledon… I think it creates more emotion.
“I don’t want to criticise anyone, I would have liked a slightly different event. I appreciate the good intentions, but I would have liked something else.
“Nowadays you can do much more emotional events by mixing music with images. Rafael is a guy whose images convey passion. If they had put some images of this, it would have been more up to par, but I appreciate the intention.”