Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic called out for missing Rafael Nadal's farewell by Spain Davis Cup captain
11/21/2024 10:10 AM
Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has described Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony after his final match as “a bit sad” and “watered down.”
The former world No 3 highlighted the absence of “very important people” from Nadal’s career at the ceremony and admitted he “missed” Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp in the first rubber of Spain’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga.
Spain’s exit from the Davis Cup meant Nadal’s loss proved to be the last match of his amazing career as he chose the competition as his retirement event.
After Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost the decisive doubles match, Nadal gave an emotional speech, while Ferrer also took the microphone to pay tribute to his compatriot.
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Rafael Nadal's farewell ceremony 'did not meet expectations'
Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray and Serena Williams joined forces with some football legends in a tribute video played at the ceremony.
In an interview with El Partidazo de Cope, Ferrer expressed sadness over Spain’s loss and the way Nadal’s farewell played out.
“I’m sad about everything, about how it happened, about losing the tie… it wasn’t the scenario we wanted. We were favourites but we didn’t show it,” Ferrer admitted.
“And the farewell to someone as important as Rafa was watered down; very important people in his career were missing, as well as people who have been so important at the level of his rivals and his team. I missed those people.
“Things are what they are and you have to accept them. Rafa will have a lot of time where he will be honoured in big tournaments and he will have the farewell he deserves. It was his last match, we won’t see him on a court again and I missed that.”
The 2013 French Open finalist then named Federer, Djokovic and former Spanish NBA star Pau Gasol as notable absentees as he asserted it should not have been him speaking at the ceremony.
“With the Davis Cup format, everything has changed. It’s a Tuesday, people come home from work… I didn’t miss the support; if it had been more equal there would have been that pressure,” Ferrer added.
“The farewell was done with the best of intentions, it was after losing and in a hurry… it was a bit sad. I missed Federer, Djokovic, [Pau] Gasol, who is a close friend of his.
“I shouldn’t have spoken. Rafa’s greatness is not going to change with a better or worse tribute.”
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