By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Thursday, June 29, 2023
Spain’s Feliciano Lopez said “Adios” to tennis in his final career match at the ATP 250 event in Mallorca, Spain.
Yannick Hanfmann ended Lopez’s career with a straight sets 6-2, 6-4 win to put him into the semifinals of the grass court tune up event.
The post-match emotional tribute feature a highlight reel of the 41-year-old Lopez’s accomplishments including special words from fellow Davis Cup teammate Rafael Nadal.
Lopez concludes his standout career with seven career singles titles, that includes being a two-time champion at the ATP 500 Queen’s Club grass court event. Along with being on several Davis Cup winning teams for Spain, Lopez also won the 2016 Roland Garros men’s doubles title with partner Marc Lopez.
He also also holds another impressive record in that since 2002 he did not miss a single main draw at the Grand Slams for 20 straight years until Roland Garros 2022.
That gives him the all-time record of 79 straight major appearances.
Known for his stylish left-handed, serve and volley game, Lopez stood out among his fellow Spanish compatriots who preferred baseline games and playing on clay courts. Lopez’s game, particularly suited to grass courts, complimented his style. In fact, Lopez has the most tour-level wins on grass courts of any Spanish male player in 87 total.
“I was a different play without trying to be, because of my identity as a player, my style and my serve,” Lopez recently told ATP.com. “But I didn’t train to have that style of tennis.
"I grew up like most Spaniards. I trained in Barcelona, but naturally decided to be this type of player, different to the rest.”
Photo Credit: TTV