There are figures who leave a great mark on our sport.
The golden age of Spanish tennis has said goodbye this week to Tommy Robredo, one of the main Spanish players of this century.
After an extensive sports career, we say goodbye to an admired racket, full of talent and whose shadow will be well lengthened in the locker room.
At 39 years old, leaving behind a career full of successes, Tommy has had elegance until the moment he left.
His goodbye was an emotional farewell at the Conde de Godó, the stage that saw him arrive on the circuit at just 16 years old.
The same one who fired him more than two decades later as an example of tenacity and perseverance in professional sports.
That tournament that he won in 2004 over Gastón Gaudio and in which he leaves an enormous legacy.
There is no better farewell for an athlete than being able to decide when and where to leave.
High competition never guarantees anything, neither the results, nor the joys, much less a goodbye at the will of the athlete.
Tommy has earned with honors being able to take the last steps in his own way, surrounded by his loved ones and applauded by a hobby that he has always respected.
Tommy had that innate talent, that gift of dedication, work and fighting that is key to professional sports.
With a colorful game he was trained as a tennis player until he accumulated successes that are already the history of our sport.
His 12 ATP tournaments, his climb to the top five in the world or that feat at Roland Garros, becoming the first player in the Open Era to come back from two sets in three consecutive games, sum up in a few words that hardworking spirit that has always displayed.
The Hamburg Masters 1000, the presence in the Masters Cup, three Davis Cup titles or the seven Grand Slam quarterfinals are merits of a long list in the hands of the Catalan.
Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest sporting talents that Spain has had in this century, and we must pay tribute to him as such.
Tommy's last few years have been beautiful in their meaning.
Away from the top positions, away from the big tournaments, he has never stopped emptying himself for his love of the sport.
That is as valuable as the greatest of trophies and is an example for all those who start.
Competition often forces us to find new motivations, to mentally reinvent ourselves to move forward, and Tommy is a great reference.
The pandemic has changed all of our lives.
Starting a family is a stage that Tommy has known in recent times, and it is understandable that priorities are changing little by little.
Dedicating more time to your loved ones, surrounding yourself with those closest to you, is a joy that our sport distances us in a certain way.
And Tommy will be lucky enough to be able to dedicate himself fully to this facet.
Beyond his achievements, he leaves a mirror in which to look at himself for so many who start today.
An example to follow professionally and a model on a personal level.
He always stood out for the passion with which he did his work and, at a time when everything seems immediate, he represents the calm work of an artisan.
That of someone who has put care and time to complete his path.
Tennis has been a learning experience in his case, savoring the successes and also the tortuous nature of the injuries.
But his humility, always with a smile, has allowed him to overcome any obstacle.
That is what really defines a good athlete.
The human side of him has also been worthy of admiration, always willing to help those most in need.
His foundation reaches out to people with disabilities and, since 2009, has organized a chair tennis tournament that has been growing thanks to the love behind the initiative.
Within the tracks has been a benchmark.
Outside of them, an exemplary model.
Applauded by everyone at his farewell, Robredo now deserves the time to enjoy his own.
As they say, the best is yet to come, Tommy.
Congratulations on everything and good luck in your new stage.
Tennis will miss you.
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