The first steps Nadal took in Alicante

The legend Rafael Nadal, who announced this Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis in Málaga in a month, took his first steps in Alicante. The Balearic tennis player was a precocious talent and left his mark on the sand of the Club Atlético Montemar in several editions of the Nike Junior Tour, events in the junior and children's categories (from 10 to 14 years old).

Nadal also played several tournaments in Alicante and Elche within the mythical Orysol circuit, which still endures. In one of them, when the Balearic was on the verge of professionalism, he clearly defeated Santi Ventura, who was seeded number one. This is recalled by Israel Sevilla, Montemar's coach who then accompanied Ventura. "Nadal would have been 15 years old and already impressed with his ball speed and, above all, his intensity. In that he was different from the others. That tournament was played at the Club de Campo de Alicante and Rafa beat Santi (Ventura) clearly being a child," recalls Sevilla.

For his part, José Pedro García, president of CA Montemar, values the legacy that Nadal leaves to future generations. "I highlight his values, which are missing today. The fight, the dedication, the respect, the education, and the strength. His record is there and I am not going to discover this legend, but his values are what are most needed today for young people," says García.

As a professional, Nadal had two outstanding performances in Alicante and Benidorm within the framework of the Davis Cup, both with clear victories and total public success as they were the golden years of Spanish tennis with figures like Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer from Alicante, as well as Carlos Moyá, Tomy Robredo, Feliciano López, Fernando Verdasco or Nico Almaggro.

In 2004, the Balearic went to the Plaza de Toros de Alicante at only 18 years old and in full bloom. The tie against France did not have much history and Nadal conquered the decisive point against Arnaud Clement, leaving through the front door and planting the seed of what would later be the title won at La Cartuja de Sevilla against the United States.

The Alicante public enjoyed Nadal again in Davis in 2009 in Benidorm. A stadium for 15,000 spectators was built in Terra Mítica's parking lot that suffered from wind inclement weather, causing the first day to be suspended and players like Feliciano López or Tomy Robredo having to move to Alicante to train on Arena sports center courts alongside Rubén Ramírez and Santi Ventura.

The tie against Serbia in Benidorm also had little history beyond the expectation generated by Novak Djokovic's presence. Spain swept with Nadal and Ferrer in singles and also ended up winning Davis that year 2009 at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

Precisely, Alicante's David Ferrer will be Nadal's captain in his last match set within a month in Málaga. Both have shared a thousand and one battles on courts around the world, adding even more emotion to a farewell no one wanted to come.