Rafael Nadal farewell ceremony branded 'shabby' by another big name – 'he is far above all this'
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Rafael Nadal’s long-time coach Carlos Moya has become the latest high-profile figure to criticise Davis Cup organisers over the Spanish icon’s retirement ceremony.
The former world No 1 labelled the ceremony “scruffy and shabby” and proclaimed that the 22-time Grand Slam winner is “far above all this.”
Nadal brought down the curtain on his glorious career on home soil at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
The 38-year-old Mallorcan was beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp in his last-ever match as Spain suffered a surprise 2-1 quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands on Tuesday.
After Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost the decisive doubles match, Nadal gave an emotional speech, while Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also took the microphone to pay tribute to his compatriot.
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Serena Williams teamed up with some football legends to pay tribute to Nadal in a video played at the on-court ceremony.
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Some fans have expressed their disappointment at the ceremony, arguing it was underwhelming — and some major figures from Nadal’s career agree.
Nadal’s uncle and long-time former coach Toni Nadal claimed it “did not meet expectations”, while Ferrer branded it "a bit sad" and "watered down." The latter also highlighted the notable absence of “very important people” from Nadal’s career, including Djokovic and Federer.
Speaking to Radioestadio Noche, Moya gave his thoughts on Nadal’s last professional appearance and slammed the farewell ceremony.
“We are still coming to terms with it,” the 1998 French Open winner said. “We knew he was going to arrive this week but it was a bit early. I didn’t see Rafa in as bad shape as people might think.
“This year has been a trend: the training sessions were of a higher level than what he was showing in the matches.
“Everyone deals with it in a different way. Rafa and I have similarities: you grab onto an operation like a drowning man to a straw, it doesn’t go all that well and little by little you realise that the end is near.
“Spain was a slight favourite but a victory for the Dutch could not be ruled out at all. This is sport, this time we have had to experience the flip side of the coin.
“The feeling we are all left with is a bit scruffy and shabby. It’s true that it’s a Tuesday night, but this is sport and we knew months in advance that if Spain lost, Rafa would retire. Nadal is far above all this.
“In what remains for me in tennis, it will be impossible for me to relive what I have experienced with him.”
Moya, who played between 1995 and 2010, coached his fellow Mallorcan Nadal from 2017 until his retirement.
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