Rudy Fernández, who turns 39 today, announced that he will retire at the end of this season in a press conference prior to tomorrow’s game on Friday between Real Madrid and Baskonia: ““I turn 39 today and I feel very grateful to being linked to this club for so many seasons, something that is ending. I have been there for many years, a lot of physical and mental strain and I think the time is coming to think about things other than basketball. I am going to enjoy what I have left in these months to continue winning titles with Real Madrid, but I am old; my family pulls me a lot. Physically and mentally it is very hard because there are so many games,” he stated.
Born in Palma de Mallorca, he began his basketball career at Joventut de Badalona, ??where he played seven seasons. He went on to play four in the NBA, three in Portland and one in Denver. In the summer of 2011 he returned to Europe to play for Real Madrid, where he has been with him for thirteen seasons.
The forward, 1.96 tall, does not rule out playing in the next Olympic Games, this summer in Paris: “This is ending, the time is coming to think about things other than basketball. Retirement is a difficult and shocking word when you listen to it. I have to fulfill my father’s dream of experiencing another Olympic Games.”
Asked what he would do if the club asked him to continue for another year, he responded evasively, but did not say yes: “I owe everything to Real Madrid. When we separate I will always have Real Madrid in my head and when I need something or the club needs it, we will get together again. I will always be grateful to Juan Carlos (Sánchez), Alberto (Herreros) and the president for pushing me to take this step to join this club, which has given me everything, the best decision I made as a professional athlete.”
