Andy Murray digs out Rafael Nadal for throwing PlayStation controllers in hilarious tribute video
Rafael Nadal is perhaps best known as the ultimate competitor who never threw a racket in anger over his career. Now he has officially retired, Andy Murray wanted it known that he has thrown one or two PlayStation controllers in frustration over the years. Nadal said goodbye to tennis at the Davis Cup The 38-year-old’s career came to a close after Spain were dumped out of the Davis Cup in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands. It was an illustrious career that included 22 Grand Slam titles and millions of adoring fans all over the globe. In an on-court ceremony that finished close to 1am, Nadal thanked his family and team as well as the thousands of fans clad in Spanish flags who had flocked to the Martin Carpena Arena to cheer him on. A video montage featured tributes from the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, David Beckham, Raul, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Garcia, while Nadal could not hold the tears back as he was acclaimed from all sides. Murray also paid tribute in that montage, and in typical fashion told a brilliant anecdote. In a video shared by the Davis Cup X account, the two-time Wimbledon said: “Hi Rafa, just wanted to send you a quick message to congratulate you on the most incredible career. “I’ve always been a huge fan of yours and it has been incredible to watch you, to practise with you, and get the chance to compete against you for all these years since we first met as 13 and 14-year-old kids. “The passion and intensity you played with, not just on the match court, but on the practise court was something I think all tennis players aspire to and what all tennis fans will remember you for. “We’ve also learned so much from you over the years about humility, hard work, and respect for everybody. “You are probably the only tennis player ever to have never thrown a racket in anger, which is incredible. Murray and Nadal have known each other since they were teenagersAFP https://twitter.com/DavisCup/status/1859243960188760412 “However, this wasn’t the case when you would lose at PlayStation. “I’ve seen Rafa throwing PlayStation controllers around hotel rooms all over the world when he and his close friend Juan Monaco would lose a late goal to me with his beloved Real Madrid at Pro Evolution Soccer. “Anyway, I’m sure your body is looking forward to a well earned rest. Enjoy retirement, mate.” There were tears in Nadal’s eyes during a stirring rendition of the Spanish national anthem before the Davis Cup match, and he showed his trademark fight to try to secure a point for his team, but it was not to be. It was only Nadal’s second ever Davis Cup loss in singles, with the other coming on his debut against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak way back in 2004.
Rafael Nadal is perhaps best known as the ultimate competitor who never threw a racket in anger over his career.
Now he has officially retired, Andy Murray wanted it known that he has thrown one or two PlayStation controllers in frustration over the years.
The 38-year-old’s career came to a close after Spain were dumped out of the Davis Cup in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands.
It was an illustrious career that included 22 Grand Slam titles and millions of adoring fans all over the globe.
In an on-court ceremony that finished close to 1am, Nadal thanked his family and team as well as the thousands of fans clad in Spanish flags who had flocked to the Martin Carpena Arena to cheer him on.
A video montage featured tributes from the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, David Beckham, Raul, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Garcia, while Nadal could not hold the tears back as he was acclaimed from all sides.
Murray also paid tribute in that montage, and in typical fashion told a brilliant anecdote.
In a video shared by the Davis Cup X account, the two-time Wimbledon said: “Hi Rafa, just wanted to send you a quick message to congratulate you on the most incredible career.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of yours and it has been incredible to watch you, to practise with you, and get the chance to compete against you for all these years since we first met as 13 and 14-year-old kids.
“The passion and intensity you played with, not just on the match court, but on the practise court was something I think all tennis players aspire to and what all tennis fans will remember you for.
“We’ve also learned so much from you over the years about humility, hard work, and respect for everybody.
“You are probably the only tennis player ever to have never thrown a racket in anger, which is incredible.
“However, this wasn’t the case when you would lose at PlayStation.
“I’ve seen Rafa throwing PlayStation controllers around hotel rooms all over the world when he and his close friend Juan Monaco would lose a late goal to me with his beloved Real Madrid at Pro Evolution Soccer.
“Anyway, I’m sure your body is looking forward to a well earned rest. Enjoy retirement, mate.”
There were tears in Nadal’s eyes during a stirring rendition of the Spanish national anthem before the Davis Cup match, and he showed his trademark fight to try to secure a point for his team, but it was not to be.
It was only Nadal’s second ever Davis Cup loss in singles, with the other coming on his debut against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak way back in 2004.
