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'Gracias Rafa' - why retiring Nadal means so much

Related Topics: Rafael Nadal, Feliciano López

When travelling along the motorway past Malaga's Palacio de Deportes this week, it was impossible not to spot the ginormous canvas paying tribute to the retiring Rafael Nadal.

The middle of the banner has a cartoonish depiction of Nadal in a familiar pose.

Biceps bulging out of a sleeveless shirt, sweaty scalp wrapped in a white bandana, plastered fingers on his left hand gripping a racquet.

The caricature is sandwiched between two words: "Gracias Rafa."

A simple message, which evokes a multitude of memories for almost an entire nation, neatly summed up what Nadal means to Spain.