Ferrer: "The important thing is for Rafa to leave happy, proud, and calm"

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The faces at the press conference mix sadness and disbelief. People still can't quite believe what has happened, neither that Spain has been eliminated right off the bat in the Davis Cup, nor that Rafa Nadal won't be returning to play tennis. Press questions break the silence of a table formed by David Ferrer, Carlos Alcaraz, and Marcel Granollers, the main characters in this last meeting with the media. This is where the adventure ends, which came with high hopes and was a title contender, but for various reasons, now has to pack up after the first round.

DAVID FERRER

"Rafa has been improving day by day, so on Monday I decided he would play singles and Marcel would play doubles. Later, I decided Carlos would play doubles with Marcel. It wasn't easy because I had several options, like Roberto Bautista, but ultimately, I bet on them for this first round."

"Bidding farewell to Rafa is very sad, it's saying goodbye to someone very special in the sports world, but he will always be remembered. Beyond the friendship we share, he is a player who has been a world figure and has made a mark. Now everything feels a bit strange, one is focused on Davis Cup, but when you lose, everything adds up. The important thing is for Rafa to leave feeling happy, proud, and peaceful, being privileged. A person so great, with that respect and humility towards everyone, is hard to find."

"Every player faces retirement differently; in my case, I took it very well, honestly. Regarding Rafa, I believe he will also handle it well, he will be happy, he has curiosities and many things to do, he is a great ambassador and is devoted to tennis, he likes it. He won’t travel intensely because he is very family-oriented, but he will remain closely connected to this world. He won't be like someone who retires and doesn't know what to do; he will continue to have a packed schedule, almost as if he were still a professional tennis player, but with a different role."

CARLOS ALCARAZ

"Rafa is one of the best ambassadors of tennis, his legacy will be eternal for sports in general. This moment is difficult for me; I feel I must continue the legacy he leaves us. I can only have good words for him and the career he has had. He has been one of the players who helped elevate tennis to the highest level, he is a very important figure in my life."

"I will remember the passion with which Rafa lives for this sport, the passion with which he has experienced every second of this tournament, it's incredible. I have been fortunate to have him close, train with him, share the locker room in important tournaments, but not as much as I would have liked. I wish I had reached the circuit earlier (laughs). I have unforgettable moments with my idol, someone I have admired since I was young; thanks to him, I wanted to become a professional."

MARCEL GRANOLLERS

"It was a tough night, not easy. As for the doubles, I don't think we played poorly, a very even first set decided by details. Carlos and I discussed some points where we could have done better; then in the second set, we were up a break, but couldn't hold on, and the tiebreak slipped away again. It hurts for Rafa; many moments come to mind, I lived very closely his beginnings from childhood. Those moments stay with you forever; it's worth tipping your hat to see everything he has achieved."

"We didn't want the moment for Rafa to retire to come; he is a Spanish tennis legend. We all love to see him, enjoy him; we would have liked to give him this Davis Cup, but it wasn't meant to be. We thank him for how he has carried his career, the values he has transmitted; he is truly admirable."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ferrer: “Lo importante es que Rafa se vaya feliz, orgulloso y tranquilo”