Nadal salutes \\\'wonderful\\\' King Juan Carlos

June 03, 2014 00:00:00

PARIS: Spain\'s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his French tennis Open round of sixteen match against Serbia\'s Dusan Lajovic at the Roland Garros stadium here Monday. — AFP Photo

PARIS, June 2 (AFP): Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal hailed King Juan Carlos as "wonderful" on Monday after the monarch decided to abdicate.

The 76-year-old Juan Carlos, crowned in November 1975 after the death of General Francisco Franco, said he wanted to hand over to "a younger generation" after several turbulent years in Spain.

His son Prince Felipe will take over the crown.

"We were very surprised with the announcement that the king was abdicating. All I can do is to thank him for all he did for Spain over the years," said Nadal after reaching the French Open quarter-finals in Paris on Monday.

"He is a wonderful person who was a great representative of our country and Spain should thank him."

Nadal, a record eight-time winner of the French Open, added: "I had the opportunity to meet him on quite a few occasions. He was always very nice and warm towards me. He made me feel very comfortable every time we met.

"I wish him the best for the future. You cannot ask for more for a person who has done so much."