{"id":3595,"date":"2024-11-23T02:12:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-23T02:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=3595"},"modified":"2024-11-23T02:12:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T02:12:07","slug":"thank-you-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-rafael-nadal-responds-to-novak-djokovics-emotional-words-after-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=3595","title":{"rendered":"“Thank you from the bottom of my heart” – Rafael Nadal responds to Novak Djokovic’s emotional words after farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Novak Djokovic (L) with Rafael Nadal (R) [Image Source: Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Rafael Nadal responded to Novak Djokovic’s heartfelt words for him following his retirement from tennis. The Spaniard played his final professional match at the 2024 Davis Cup.<\/p>\n

Nadal represented Spain against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup. He took the court for the opening singles match against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp but was defeated 4-6, 4-6. Spain, subsequently, lost the tie 2-1 and failed to secure a spot in the semifinals, which in turn marked the end of the Spaniard’s remarkable career<\/p>\n

In the wake of Rafael Nadal’s retirement, the official Davis Cup social media account shared an emotional video message from Novak Djokovic to the 38-year-old.<\/p>\n

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Djokovic began by congratulating the 22-time\u00a0Grand Slam\u00a0champion on his\u00a0“amazing career .”<\/em><\/p>\n

“Rafa, first of all, congratulations on your amazing career. Your family, your team, yourself should be extremely proud of everything that you have achieved throughout your career that lasted for more than 20 years,” Djokovic said.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Serb then went on to reminisce about the good times they shared in the locker rooms. He stated that everyone should celebrate the Spaniard’s career as there are many achievements and moments worth honoring.<\/p>\n

“We had a lot of fun times, sharing the locker room and, you know, I just hope that today, even though it is a sad day for tennis, even though it is a sad day for Spain and sport in general, that you are retiring, at the same time I hope that everyone will celebrate your career because there is so much to embrace, so much to celebrate,” he added.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In his farewell\u00a0message, acknowledging his impact on the sport, Djokovic praised Rafael Nadal for inspiring children worldwide to pick up a tennis racket.<\/p>\n

“I think, more importantly, and you would agree with this, is the mark that you left behind in terms of the connection with the people, in terms of how you inspired millions of children around the world to grab a tennis racket,” Djokovic said.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Watch Novak Djokovic’s full emotional farewell message below:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n