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The surprise of the news spreads throughout the world of sports. Nobody expected it, which is why the reactions to the announcement of the withdrawal of Rafael Nadal of professional tennis left some athletes very surprised. One of those who was most shocked by this announcement was Carlos Alcarazwho in the press conference after the defeat he suffered in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters 1000, against Tomas Machac, confessed: “I’m shocked; Rafa is my idol, one of the reasons why I wanted to be a tennis professional. “It was a big surprise, I had no idea about anything.”
Without understanding what had happened and trusting that he found out before his match about Rafa’s retirement, Alcaraz highlighted the legacy that Nadal leaves not only in tennis, but in sport in general, and assured that it is “painful” to see Nadal quit tennis, which is what he loves. “He is someone we are going to miss. It is a decision that, as he has said many times, he had to make cold. (…) Nobody beyond his close circle knew anything,” said the Spaniard.
And he added: “I have had the great fortune to play with him in doubles, to compete against him, to share a locker room and tournaments, to learn from him side by side. “They are memories that I will never forget in my life, that I will take with me forever.”
He even said that he couldn’t believe the news when he found out: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. That hasn’t affected me at all before the game or distracted me. I haven’t been thinking about Rafa’s news. It has been hard to accept. I’m grateful I saw it an hour before the game, so I had the time to accept it and forget about it.”
And he continued: “Losing him, in a way, is going to be hard for everyone. We will try to enjoy him whatever he plays the most. Now in Arabia and then in Davis. It’s a sad day for tennis and for me”.
Many athletes expressed themselves on their social networks regarding such an announcement and Alcaraz also spoke out on his Instagram account in which you can see a photo as a child with Nadal and another from the recent Paris Olympic Games with this message: “From the child who watched you on television and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing alongside you at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympic Games! Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable! I have enjoyed you very much and I will miss you very much when you leave after Davis, Rafa”.
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