"I'm a sensitive person" - says Rafael Nadal after going viral for crying
ATP
Rafael Nadal was seen crying during Roger Federer's retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup, and he talked about his emotions after the event.
For Nadal, Federer's retirement was a special moment. When he first arrived on the ATP Tour as a promising young talent, the Swiss Maestro was the player to beat.
Over the years, the have developed a rivalry, which later turned into friendships. Now, they can be considered good friends, which is also one of the reasons why it was the Spanish player who stood next to Federer when he retired from the sport.
The duo represented Team Europe when they took on Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock at the 2022 Laver Cup. Although they lost the match, the spotlight moment came a few minutes later.
Federer had a beautiful retirement ceremony. The Swiss player couldn't hold back tears, but the same applied to Nadal as well. The two were seen holding hands and crying on the bench.
Nadal spoke about the moment afterward, admitting that he's a sensitive person. He also revealed that he got emotional once again when the players went backstage.
"I'm a sensitive person, and when you see someone you appreciate like that, it's hard not to get emotional, although it got a little out of hand. When I got to my room, I got emotional again. But because of what was experienced that night, it was difficult not to get excited."
Nadal also talked about his own retirement. However, at the moment, the Spaniard doesn't even think about it. He knows it's much closer than it ever was, but he doesn't have a date or event planned, yet.
"I know that the moment of my retirement will come within 'x' or 'x' plus a little years, but with 36 years and a half, we are in the final stretch of my career."
"But now I neither consider it nor do I want to consider it. My emotion was not because of that, but because of the appreciation I feel towards Federer."
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