{"id":4307,"date":"2024-11-25T02:21:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T02:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=4307"},"modified":"2024-11-25T02:21:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T02:21:06","slug":"andy-roddick-gives-special-tribute-to-entirely-relatable-and-completely-unrelatable-rafael-nadal-as-the-spaniard-bids-adieu-to-tennis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=4307","title":{"rendered":"Andy Roddick gives special tribute to \u2018entirely relatable\u2019 and \u2018completely unrelatable\u2019 Rafael Nadal, as the Spaniard bids adieu to tennis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andy Roddick paid special tribute to the ‘influential’ Rafael Nadal following his retirement from tennis at the Davis Cup Finals.<\/p>\n

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Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal (Images via Imago)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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After\u00a0Rafael Nadal\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0career came to an end on Tuesday (November 19), several sports legends and athletes paid tribute to him. American legend\u00a0Andy Roddick<\/strong>\u00a0joined in, lauding the Spaniard for his impact as a tennis player and for inspiring millions of budding talents all over the world.<\/p>\n

Nadal\u2019s influence among tennis players has been phenomenal, with several stars, including\u00a0Carlos Alcaraz<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Iga Swiatek<\/strong>, often crediting him for inspiring them. The 38-year-old\u2019s illustrious career came to an end after\u00a0losing to Netherlands\u2019\u00a0Botic van de Zandschulp<\/strong>\u00a0at the Davis Cup Finals.<\/p>\n

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Spain eventually lost the best-of-three series tie to the Netherlands 1-2 to exit the tournament. Nadal then received an emotional farewell tribute from the Davis Cup and the tennis governing body. He also gave a heartwarming speech to his faithful supporters while naming some of his\u00a0biggest accomplishments on the court<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Roddick spoke about his respect for Nadal on his \u2018Served with Andy Roddick\u2019 podcast. The 2003 US Open champion asserted that although Nadal\u2019s style of play was tough, it became the best plan for thousands of teens dreaming of becoming champions in the future.<\/p>\n

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There are things that us normies can never replicate. I will never, in my life, go out and hit a ball and create a spinning mechanism. Even just for fun, I can\u2019t go out and just do it. Like, it\u2019s such an otherworldly talent, but you tell a seven-year-old, \u2018Watch this guy, watch his temperament, watch the way he gets back.\u2019 Like simultaneously, I\u2019ve never seen someone who is entirely relatable and completely unrelatable in the best ways.<\/p>\n

Andy Roddick said<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n