They say so Pau Gasol digested his withdrawal very badly. Despite enjoying more of a full personal life, unlimited resources to enjoy what he wanted, and the recognition of the world at his disposal, the absence of basketball, the competitive challenges to contend with, were overwhelming for him in the first months to come. He bids farewell to the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021.

They also say that during this time – among others – he was trusting. rafael nadala close friend from afar It emerged from that collaborative work that Spanish sport’s ambassadors around the world have practiced throughout their legendary careers. No one in our country understood the extent of their competitiveness and the importance of their career footprints as they did. When they speak, they carry a country on their shoulders, because they project it to the world with their rights, with their baskets. at your word.

Gasol postponed his retirement, taking his career beyond its limits to bid farewell to his legend as he deserved. Thursday, rafael nadal He announced that he would do the same. and even though he said he was uncomfortable with this confession, he expressed it like this. “I don’t deserve such an end“, he said when asked why the point he drew in his career was dots instead of dots.

His physique and head

A few things can be taken away from his decision to end the season, even though he left the Davis Cup slightly open in November and resigned to 2024. The first written remains, I can’t stand the thought of retiring from the stool From his academy in Manacor. Second, he still really believes there’s still some gas left in the tank. Third, his head continues to demand tennis, despite announcing that he won’t be training for a few months, detoxing his mind and improving his physique.

And it doesn’t come to the conclusion that Nadal wants to take advantage of these off months, but at least it is perceived. rehearse what the future Rafa will be like, the next 50 or 70 years left to live. Prepare to immerse yourself in the post-competitive life that is too difficult for other legends of the sport. He has his friend Gasol, but there are many other examples. Michael Jordan has been back on the court twice, Iker Casillas has become a tiktoker with the flavor of youth, others have ended really badly, many of them enjoying a full and happy life without having to go out to practice every day. Everyone handles as best they can.

The problem Nadal is currently facing is that he has to fight against his own essence as a sports idol. Uncle Toni taught him to be a competitive animal, but now that the end is near, only he can learn to stop being that way.. And Rafa, like every great successful person, wants to die sporting the way he lived. If Federer’s grace seeped through every frame of his retirement video, perhaps he’s expected to end up in the Roland Garros mud at the Games, as Nadal had to be hooked up to an oxygen cylinder just after tying his right hand. gives him the last of his abundant and glorious victories.

“One More Effort”

“It’s always worth one more effort, that has been my philosophy and I keep it up,” he recalled. It’s no longer in his power to go down in history as the man who has won the most Grand Slams.. With 22 titles drawn, Novak Djokovic looks much more capable today to increase the score and leave the Balearic Islands in second all-time. Despite being well known about him, nothing can be overlooked. He is the first to know. And she loves it. Therefore, do not say goodbye like this and leave a minimal gap until 2025.

“Next year will end a phase where I think we are very happy, enjoying many moments that we did not imagine. And from there, I will begin another stage in life that does not have to be less happyThey were like the words of a man who had succumbed to time, announcing the last death rattle of his sporting career before he faced the final dizziness of retirement.

You already know from your friend Gasol that this drink isn’t always easy. But it comes to everyone. And you will have to learn to digest it.