「レガシー残せた」　ナダルが涙の引退スピーチ

【マラガ（スペイン）ＡＦＰ＝時事】男子テニスの国別対抗戦デビスカップでスペインが敗退し、現役引退が決まったラファエル・ナダルが、選手としてだけでなく、人間としてもテニス界に財産を残すことができたと涙ながらにキャリアを振り返った。（写真は、男子テニスの国別対抗戦デビスカップ、準々決勝、オランダ対スペイン。試合後のセレモニーで手を振るスペインのラファエル・ナダル）
　３８歳のナダルは１９日、母国スペインのマラガで行われた準々決勝オランダ戦のシングルス１試合目に登場したものの敗戦。チームも１勝２敗で敗れ、ベスト８敗退となった。
　四大大会（グランドスラム）通算２２勝を誇り、２３年間にわたり輝かしいキャリアを送ってきたナダルは、引退セレモニーで「心穏やかに引退する。スポーツ面だけでなく、個人としてもレガシーを残せた」とファンに語りかけ、「コートで実績を残しただけであれば、これほどの愛情は受け取れなかったはずだ」と話した。
　さらにナダルは、ジュニア時代から長くコーチを務めたおじのトニ氏ら、支えてくれた多くの人々に感謝の意を表し、「タイトルや数字はたくさんの人が知っているだろうが、個人的にはマヨルカの小さな村から来た善良な人間として覚えていてもらいたい」と話すと、「幸運なことに、村にテニスコーチのおじがいて、どんなときでも支えてくれる家族もいた」「夢を追いかけて夢見ていた以上のことを成し遂げた良い人間として覚えていてもらいたい」と呼びかけた。
　会場では、ナダルをねぎらうビデオメッセージが流れ、かつてのライバルであるロジャー・フェデラー氏やノバク・ジョコビッチ、アンディ・マレー、女子のセリーナ・ウィリアムズ氏といった大選手の他に、サッカーのスーパースターであるラウル・ゴンザレス氏やアンドレス・イニエスタ氏もコメントを寄せた。
　今後については、引き続きテニスの「良い大使」でありたいと述べ、「これからのことは予習できているので、落ち着いている」と説明。「日々必要なことをなんでも手伝ってくれる素晴らしい家族がいる」ため、引退に怖さはないと語った。
　ナダルと同じスペイン出身の新鋭で、後継者と期待されている世界３位のカルロス・アルカラス（２１）は、「彼のレガシーは永遠だ」と話し、「テニス界だけでなく、スポーツ界全体にとっての偉大な選手。少なくとも個人的には、彼の残したものを引き継ぐのは難しい」と続けると、「彼がテニス界やスペイン、僕の人生にいてくれただけで最高だった」と感謝した。
　スペインのダビド・フェレール監督も「偉業を記憶される人もいれば、死ぬまで記憶される人や、永遠に記憶される人もいる。君は永遠に記憶される人間だ」とナダルをたたえた。
　ナダルへのねぎらいはスペイン国外からも寄せられ、全仏オープン１４勝を挙げて「赤土の王」と呼ばれたフランスのパリでは、エッフェル塔の前の夜空にナダルの画像が映し出された。
　また元世界１位のボリス・ベッカー氏は、Ｘ（旧ツイッター）に「話しながら泣いている。ラファエル・ナダルは一時代を築いた絶対的なアイコンだ。ラファのような選手は二度と現れないだろう」と投稿した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/11/20-16:53）

Rafael Nadal said he has left both a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis on Tuesday at the Davis Cup.
The 38-year-old was beaten in the opening singles rubber of the quarter-finals as Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to reach the final four.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years.
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 told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honour his retirement.
I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.
Nadal paid credit to many who have helped him along the way, including his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him as a child and for a large part of his career.
The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca, continued Nadal.
I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment...
I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.
Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where over 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close.
Former rival Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and other tennis greats left messages in the video, alongside former Spanish football stars including Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October.
I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way, said Nadal in his emotional speech.
The Spaniard said he hoped to be a good ambassador for tennis in the years to come and was not afraid to begin his retirement.
I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next, he explained.
I have a great family around me who help me with everything that I need every day.
- 'Eternal' -
After Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 to force a doubles decider.
Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) victory over Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to bring the curtain down on Nadal's career.
World number three Alcaraz, 21, is one of the game's brightest talents and a player some hope can become Nadal's heir.
His legacy is going to be eternal, Alcaraz told reporters.
He has been great for tennis, for the sport in general, it is difficult -- at least for me -- to feel that I should continue the legacy that he has left.
It is difficult, almost impossible, I will just try to do my best, right now it's time to say great things about Rafa...
It is just great to have had Rafa in tennis, in Spain and in my life.
Nadal fought hard in his final match in front of huge home support but ultimately came up short.
He gave everything he had in the tank, all of his energy... it's sad to see him go but we have to accept it, added Alcaraz.
Spain's Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also paid tribute to Nadal.
There are people who will be remembered for their achievements in life, others until the end of their days, and others eternally, said Ferrer.
You will be remembered eternally.
Nadal thanked fans in Spain in his speech but also around the rest of the world where he found many admirers.
In Paris, where he won a record 14 French Open titles and earned the nickname the 'King of Clay', his image was projected onto the night sky in front of the Eiffel Tower.
I am crying as we speak... Rafael Nadal... What an absolute icon of sport period! There will never be another one like Rafa! wrote former world number one Boris Becker on social media platform X.