'Eternal' Nadal leaves legacy as he retires from tennis
The Peninsula
M laga, Spain: Rafael Nadal said early Wednesday he had left a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis, as tributes flo...
Málaga, Spain: Rafael Nadal said early Wednesday he had left a sporting and personal 'legacy' after retiring from professional tennis, as tributes flooded in for the 22-time Grand Slam winner.
The 38-year-old's glittering and historic career came to a close as Netherlands defeated Spain in the Davis Cup and Nadal gave an emotional speech that ran over 10 minutes long to more than 10,000 fans in Malaga.
After 23 years in the game and many struggles with injury, Nadal retires as the second-most successful men's singles player of all time.
"I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one," Nadal said at his retirement ceremony.