"Made me cry... he didn't tell me anything" - Rafael Nadal's grandma turns emotional over Spaniard's retirement announcement

Rafael Nadal's retirement declaration sent waves around the tennis world, prompting reactions from greats like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Chris Evert, and others. However, the Spaniard's grandma Isabel Homar, someone who has seen the Spaniard grow from a bambino to a legend, recently registered her first reaction in public to his impending farewell.

Nadal will draw curtains on his storied career, which began in 2001, at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga in November this year, representing Spain.

While speaking in an interview with IB3 Sports on October 10, the 22-time Grand Slam champion's grandmother Isabel Homar voiced her emotions on the development.

"I'm happy, I love my grandson more than the tennis player. I am very satisfied with everything he has achieved, but everyone has an end, now he will play with the child," Homar told IB3 Esports (translated from Catalan).

She reflected on witnessing the 38-year-old create history on the courts of Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

"I've lived through many important moments: Wimbledon, Roland Garros... I was very sad, but we followed him a lot. I'm very happy with him, he's a very good person and a great athlete. We love him for everything," she added.

Homar then turned a little emotional while revealing Nadal skipped discussing the decision to call it a day with her.

"I have seen many reports about his retirement and they have made me cry. I know that he has sent a message to the cousins so that they would know beforehand, but I saw him the other day and he didn't tell me anything," the grandma concluded.

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Rafael Nadal has helped Spain to five Davis Cup titles

2019 Davis Cup - Day Seven - Source: Getty

Rafael Nadal's international career is in no measure inferior to the one on the ATP Tour. With two Olympic gold medals and five Davis Cup glories under his name, the Spaniard has brought pride of epic proportions to his homeland.

His first successful Davis Cup campaign came in 2004 when he contributed to Spain's victory by defeating the USA's Andy Roddick in a final tie. He later helped the side clinch the trophy in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

Nadal's latest success with Spain materialized in 2019, with him claiming the final win against Canada's Denis Shapovalov in the title clash.

In this year's Davis Cup knockouts, he will have the company of young sensation Carlos Alcaraz along with Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers.