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Rafael Nadal has revealed he does not miss playing professional tennis and also admitted he would have continued playing if his body would have allowed it.
The legendary Spaniard was honoured with the Sporting Icon Award at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid on Monday night.
“I don’t know how to start, honestly. I didn’t prepare for this amazing moment, talking in front of all of you,” Nadal said after he received the trophy.
But a lot of you have been sportspeople that inspired [me] since I was a kid and having the chance to talk in front of you today is something very, very special.”
Nadal won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award in 2011 and 2021.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion retired from tennis after playing his final match in November last year at the Davis Cup Finals.
Speaking to reporters at the ceremony, Nadal explained why he has no regrets over his decision to call time on his career.
“The truth is that I don’t miss tennis. Zero. I don’t miss it at all,” the 38-year-old said. “But not because I finished tired of tennis or fighting against tennis, not at all.
