Thanks for that, but that's far from all of it. He spoke long in Spanish, before, and Tennis Channel chose to have Paul Annacone and Jason Goodall talk over it. I'll find the whole thing, I'm sure. But I called the Tennis Channel to complain, as did another friend of mine. Apparently, they fielded a lot of calls this evening from people complaining that they talked over his farewell speech, rather than just airing it live. I mean, what is the point of a Tennis Channel, if they can't air something like that in real time? Also, the event was in Spain, and Rafa is Spanish, so they might have anticipated it. They could have had a closed-caption live translation person prepared, even if the translation was imperfect. They let us down, and it's being made known to them.
Here you go:
and a transcript in English (AI translation) - you might be able to improve it as you can speak the language:
Thank you all for being here today. In my 20-year professional career, you've always carried me. In good moments, you helped me win the next point, and in difficult times, you undoubtedly pushed me to keep fighting. I've been able to live this journey with all of you. I want to extend this not just to Spain, but to the world in general. I've truly felt incredibly fortunate to receive so much love around the world, and especially here in Spain.
I want to continue today by congratulating the Dutch team. Congratulations to all of you - amazing. And I want to thank the entire Spanish team that's here. Not just all of you who have allowed me to live the dream of playing Davis Cup again. Obviously, things haven't turned out as we all would have wanted. I would have loved to help more than I did, but honestly, I gave everything I had. I want to thank you from my heart for giving me the opportunity to spend these last days as a professional in a team.
Many of the most emotional moments of my career I've experienced with many of you who are here. Being part of the Spanish team has been an incredible privilege and honor. We've enjoyed it, we've achieved many beautiful things together, and now it's your turn to continue living it, which I'm sure you will. So thank you all, truly.
The reality is that no one ever wants to reach this moment. Honestly, I'm not tired of playing tennis - simply, my body has reached a point where it no longer wants to play tennis. So we have to accept the situation. I sincerely feel super privileged. I've been able to make one of my hobbies my career, and for much longer than I could have ever imagined. I can only give thanks to life and thanks to all these people behind me - some aren't here, many are. Family especially, without any doubt. Team, friends - I don't want to personalize right now because it's really difficult and I'll forget people, but you have been an unforgettable part of my daily life throughout all these years.
I'm a person who believes in continuity, in maintaining relationships with people who truly love you and who really make your life better by being close to you. That's what I've tried to do throughout my life - maintain the team, keep family close, make few changes in my team. This has led me to have not just a professional relationship with all of you, but truly a personal relationship that goes far beyond our professional career that we've lived together. For all of this, thank you so much - truly, without you, none of this would have been possible, and I say this from my heart.
I also want to thank all the companies, the Spanish federation, and all the sponsors who have accompanied me on this journey. Some continue and have lasted a lifetime, others were there at certain moments of my life. Without exception, I'm incredibly grateful for the trust and unconditional support. It has meant a lot to me to have the support of very important companies who have believed in me throughout these years. You've made me feel secure and feel really good being part of the family of all of you. Thank you very much.
I don't want to forget the media - sincerely, you've been with me, accompanying me, telling my story in many places around the world. Some traveling more, others less, but I want to thank you for the way you've treated me the vast majority of times. Sometimes I will have made mistakes, played many matches badly, others well, but I've felt very well treated by you. Most importantly for me is that I believe there has always been a relationship of respect with all of you. Although you do your job and I do mine, I greatly appreciate the way you've treated me and that you've been able to tell the world my story, which for me has been a beautiful story with moments that have been bad, but the reality is that the vast majority have been really good and unforgettable. So thank you very much for having been part of my story as well.
To the entire sports industry - the ATP, the ITF, the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, the Balear Federation - all of you who make this sport continue to be at the top of the world. We are a global sport. You make our sport continue to move masses, and I encourage you to continue on the path you've been on for so long. I am super passionate about sport in general. I'm retiring from professional tennis, but I'm still here. For anything, I hope to continue being a good ambassador for tennis.
That's what I've tried to do, truly, all my life. I've tried to work hard every day to be better, to achieve objectives, but I've tried to do it from respect, from humility, from valuing all the good things that have happened to me. I believe that somehow I've tried to do what for me is the most important thing in this world - to be a good person. I hope you've perceived it that way.
I'm leaving this world of professional tennis having found many friends along the way. I have so many people to thank - people I've met at tournaments, people who have worked with me at the ATP. It's difficult to remember everyone, but I really believe that I'm leaving with the peace of mind that I've left a legacy, as I truly feel it - not only athletic but also personal, because I understand that the love I receive around the world wouldn't be the same if it were only for what happened on the court. So truly, thank you very much for everything.
I want to end by saying the last words thanking my family, who really has never failed me. They've been with me in moments when things seemed impossible, in moments when things were going well they kept me grounded. They've barely ever let me get carried away, and I think that makes today's moment and what will happen in the future really easier to bear. I know there's a process coming - I don't know if it will be difficult, but all changes in this life involve a process of adaptation. I'm calm because I really believe I've received an education that allows me to face what's coming with tranquility, with the personal satisfaction of having done everything I could until the end. And sincerely, I'm at peace because I have a great family around me who helps me with everything I need daily. Thank you very much.
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