Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Ace <keyword id="23500944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spanish-tennis" source="keywords">Spanish tennis</keyword> star <keyword id="19976650" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rafael-Nadal" source="keywords">Rafael Nadal</keyword> announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the current season, with his final match set for the <keyword id="19926483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Davis-Cup" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Davis Cup" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Davis Cup">Davis Cup</keyword> in November. Known as the "<keyword id="23500126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="King-of-Clay" source="keywords">King of Clay</keyword>," Nadal’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable 22-year career that saw him claim 22 <keyword id="19976654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Grand-Slam-titles" source="keywords">Grand Slam titles</keyword>, including an unprecedented 14 <keyword id="20252774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="French-Open" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="French Open" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="French Open">French Open</keyword> wins.<br /><br />In a heartfelt video message posted on social media, the 38-year-old expressed his bittersweet feelings about stepping away from the sport that has defined his life. "Hello everyone, I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis," he began, reflecting on the struggles he’s faced in recent years. "The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially."<br /><h2>Battling injuries and embracing change</h2>Reflecting on his career, Nadal acknowledged that the decision to retire was not easy. Injuries have plagued him over the last few years, forcing him to miss numerous tournaments, including the 2023 French Open, where he has dominated for nearly two decades. This year, he was eliminated in the first round by Germany’s Alexander Zverev, a stark reminder that the physical toll on his body had finally caught up with him.<br /><br />"I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations," he admitted. "But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined."<br /><h2>Unmatched legacy on the clay courts</h2>Nadal has often spoken about the significance of his relationships within the tennis world, particularly with his family, team, and close friends on tour. He gave special thanks to his uncle, Toni Nadal, who served as his coach for much of his career and played a pivotal role in shaping him both as an athlete and a person.<br /><br />"I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career," Nadal shared. He also expressed gratitude for his loyal fans, saying, "I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel. Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true."<br /><br />Over his storied career, Nadal has been known for his fierce rivalries with players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, which propelled him to extraordinary heights. Nadal’s dominance on clay is unmatched; his 14 French Open titles at Roland Garros will likely remain a record for generations.<br /><br />Beyond the French Open, he also clinched titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, achieving the rare feat of winning each Grand Slam multiple times. His <keyword id="21004554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-gold-medals" source="keywords">Olympic gold medals</keyword> in both singles (2008) and doubles (2016) further cement his legacy as one of the most versatile and resilient players of all time.<br /><h2>Final Davis Cup</h2>For Nadal, the Davis Cup holds a special place in his heart. His first major triumph came at the 2004 Davis Cup final in Seville, where he announced himself on the world stage. Now, he sees the opportunity to close out his career at home as a fitting way to bring his journey full circle.<br /><br />"I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country," Nadal said. "I think I’ve come full circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004."<br /><br />The upcoming Davis Cup finals in Malaga, scheduled for November 19-24, will mark Nadal’s final bow, allowing him to play his last professional match on Spanish soil. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this emotional farewell, which will see one of tennis’ all-time greats bid adieu to the sport he has graced with unwavering passion, determination, and humility.<br /><br />As he prepares to leave the court, Nadal carries with him an immense sense of gratitude and fulfilment. "I leave with the absolute peace of mind having given my best," he said, encapsulating the spirit that has endeared him to millions of fans worldwide. For Nadal, this isn’t just a goodbye — it’s the celebration of a lifetime’s journey, one that has forever changed the world of tennis.<br /><br /><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em>

Rafael Nadal’s Final Serve: Tennis icon to retire after Davis Cup in November, reflects on an unforgettable journey

Top 10 activities to do in Singapore for an unforgettable visit in 2024

I flew on a major airline's Pokémon-themed plane. The unforgettable experience didn't cost extra &mdash; and it came with souvenirs.

Top 10 International destinations for unforgettable snow experience

Discover the wonders of Australia: 10 must-visit places for an unforgettable journey

Top 10 must-do activities in Sri Lanka for unforgettable vacations

10 people living on the road shared their advice before I set off on a 13-day van trip. Their tips led to an unforgettable adventure.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: Major spoilers for the first three episodes of "Our Flag Means Death" season two.</li><li>The Max comedy series follows the adventures of pirates Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard, who fall in love.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/what-to-watch-after-our-flag-means-death?r=US&amp;IR=T">"Our Flag Means Death"</a> ended its first season on a distressing note, with not much hope for the fan-favorite couple at the heart of the series.</p><p>After 10 episodes spent trying to prove his worth as a swashbuckler — and unexpectedly falling in love with Blackbeard (<a href="https://www.insider.com/taika-waititi-says-white-hollywood-needs-to-fix-diversity-problem-2023-6">Taika Waititi</a>) along the way — the finale saw Gentleman Pirate <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/our-flag-means-death-review-hbo-max?r=US&amp;IR=T">Stede Bonnet</a> (Rhys Darby) get cold feet over his new lifestyle choice, ditching Blackbeard and the found-family rag-tag crew on his ship, The Revenge. Though Stede quickly realizes his mistake and tries to find his crew and Blackbeard, it's too late. Blackbeard (aka Ed), heartbroken from the apparent rejection, reverts to his prior ways, leaning into self-destruction and villainy.</p><p>Season two, which premiered its first three episodes on Thursday, picks up in a similarly dark vein. But there's still plenty of room for the joyful moments of absurdity that made the series such an unexpected hit (with a particularly passionate fandom) when it first premiered in 2022. Case in point: Stede as a merman.</p><p>In an interview with Insider ahead of the season two premiere, series creator and showrunner David Jenkins broke down key moments from the first three episodes (yes, including that merman scene) and shared exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the set.</p><h2>The Stede/Ed/Izzy dynamic is indeed a love triangle, Jenkins confirms</h2><div type="image" title="Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet in &quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1333" width="2000" msid="104191818" hostid="261"></div><p>Season two opens with Stede dreaming of fighting Izzy Hands (Con O'Neill), Ed's first mate who tries to persuade the captain to go back to his former vicious persona. In the sequence, Stede needs to go through Izzy in order to get to Ed, symbolizing how Izzy has been the stumbling block between the two lovers.</p><p>In a way, even though Izzy and Ed never appeared to have a necessarily romantic or sexual relationship, one could describe the three characters' dynamic as a love triangle with Ed in the center and the other two fighting for his affection.</p><p>Jenkins agrees with this sentiment and says he wanted to open the season with a moment that directly addresses that triangle, which he calls key to season two.</p><p>"I think Izzy, in a certain way, got the worst deal in the first season," the showrunner tells Insider. "He gets jilted and then he still is in spurned spouse territory at the beginning of the second season."</p><h2>Blackbeard is still in his villain era at the start of season 2, but it's not what Izzy expected</h2><div type="image" title="Taika Waititi as Blackbeard in &quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1317" width="2000" msid="104191819" hostid="261"></div>Season two quickly establishes that Ed is still not coping well after Stede's apparent rejection. Fully in his Blackbeard persona, he has become emotionally and physically abusive to his whole crew, forcing them on risky pillaging expeditions only to throw away the loot.<p>Izzy suffers the most of the crew, having his toes cut off whenever he disappoints his boss. When Izzy finally stands up to Ed in the first episode of the new season, the heartbroken pirate captain shoots him and replaces him with Frenchie (Joel Fry).</p><p>Jenkins, who praises O'Neill's performance as Izzy this season, tells Insider that Izzy is an important character to watch because of how he grows in season two, after his attempts to get Blackbeard back into his villainous era backfire on him.</p><p>"Izzy is really feeding this poison, and then gets the poison turned back on him," Jenkins says. "I wanted to see that character go on a journey. I guess it's a journey of redemption, but I think it's more a journey of finding out, who is he to Blackbeard?"</p><p>According to Jenkins, Izzy is "more than a spurned, jilted lover."</p><p>"What is that relationship about? And I think by the end of the season it kind of becomes a little unexpected of who they are to each other and what they mean to each other," he teases.</p><div type="image" title="Taika Waititi as Blackbeard in &quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1333" width="2000" msid="104191820" hostid="261"></div>Towards the end of episode two, it becomes clear that Ed is barreling down a path of self-destruction until either everything else is destroyed, or he is. At the end of episode two, he forces his ship towards a big storm and threatens to kill the entire crew in the storm if the two new lovers Jim (Vico Ortiz) and Archie (Madeleine Sami) don't fight to the death.<p>Jenkins tells Insider that season two had to start in this way because of how dark the end of season one was. "You have to pick up in that place and keep it pretty dark," he says.</p><h2>Season 2 introduces more real pirates from history, like Zheng Yi Sao</h2><div type="image" title="Zheng Yi Sao's ship in &quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1333" width="2000" msid="104191821" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="Behind the scenes of Zheng Yi Sao's ship in &quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1333" width="2000" msid="104191822" hostid="261"></div><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/our-flag-means-death-biggest-new-series-right-now-2022-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">"Our Flag Means Death"</a> is loosely based on history – both Stede and Blackbeard are real and really did have a brief friendship (though there's no evidence they were ever romantically involved). Across the two seasons, characters based on other pirates from that time period have also made brief appearances. </p><p>Zheng Yi Sao (Ruibo Qian) is one significant new character based on a real-life pirate.</p><p><a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/Zheng_Yi_Sao/">Sao was the chief of a giant pirate confederation</a> in the South China Sea who defeated the Chinese navy on numerous occasions. When she finally retired, she demanded a pardon and got it.</p><p>"She's basically the most successful pirate ever," Jenkins says, reflecting on the real Sao. "And we don't know her name in the West, but she's way more successful than Blackbeard and any of these folks."</p><p>When we first meet Qian's Sao in season two episode one, she poses as a soup shop owner. However, when the gentlemen pirates are brought to her pirate ship and almost all-female crew, the audience discovers that everything is so much more organized on this vessel than on the other, more male ships we've seen so far. </p><p>"The guys are on that ship and they're like 'This is good. This is way better than what we were doing. The soup's good,'" Jenkins says. "'They sleep outside, there's a bell that rings in the morning. But other than that Zheng Yi Sao's got it together, man, this is way more functional.'" He likens Sao's way of pirating to a successful tech startup, compared with the garage sale vibe Stede had going on the Revenge.</p><p>Jenkins says that Sao's pirating method also is focused on success rather than enacting violence for the sake of it, or simply trying to look cool.</p><p>"It's less about being a badass and acting out, although she has to be a badass for what she does," Jenkins tells Insider. "She does it to create a more functional way of doing things as opposed to acting out or wish fulfillment like Stede, who's just playing pirate.</p><p>"She's actually about something bigger. And it makes her more formidable."</p><h2>That merman sequence was inspired by Jenkins' desire to see Rhys Darby as a merman</h2><div type="image" title="&quot;Our Flag Means Death.&quot;" height="1333" width="2000" msid="104191823" hostid="261"></div><p>Yes, Jenkins was fully aware that the Stede-as-a-merman sequence would be a fan-favorite moment as soon as he came up with it.</p><p>In episode three, Stede and Sao finally catch up to Blackbeard's pirates, but Blackbeard is nowhere to be seen. We eventually discover that the crew nearly killed him, and now he is on the brink of death.</p><p>As he's dying, Blackbeard is guided on his journey through purgatory by his former pirate captain Benjamin Hornigold (Mark Mitchinson), another actual pirate from Blackbeard's time.</p><p>Jenkins tells Insider that this particular character was chosen as Blackbeard's guide because of Ed's issues with father figures in his life.</p><p>"I thought Hornigold was the most obvious because he was the person who made Blackbeard what he is. And Blackbeard has a father complex, so it's natural that he's going to bring his former captain back," the show creator said. "It's a struggle with him because he and dad figures don't historically do well."</p><p>After Blackbeard gives in to death, he is saved by Stede, who comes to him in purgatory as a merman. The scene, set to "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush, is both hilarious and tear-jerking.</p><p>Jenkins tells Insider that this was something he envisioned for season two very early in the planning process simply because he wanted to see Darby as a mermaid.</p><p>"I wanted 'This Woman's Work' for that sequence and made sure that I'd cleared it and then we scripted that to time code and just really spent a lot of time on that sequence," Jenkins says, adding that it was "joyous" to see Stede as a mermaid.</p><p>"I feel joy when I see Rhys come out of the darkness underwater as a merperson," he jokes. At the same time, Jenkins knows the scene holds emotional weight even though it's humorous.</p><p>"I think to be dying and in purgatory and hear the voice of the person who loves you and have them pull you back and appear as a mythical creature — when we talked about it in the room, we just all loved it immediately," he says.</p><p>As for Darby, Jenkins says the actor ultimately loved shooting the scene, even though he wasn't so sure about the merman garb at first.</p><p>"He was a little bit like, 'Guys. um, I don't.' And then he got it on and he was like, 'Ah I look pretty good in this, don't I?'" Jenkins recalled. "And then shooting it underwater. That was a long day of shooting."</p><p><strong>Season 2 of "Our Flag Means Death" is now streaming on Max:</strong></p>

Behind the scenes of 'Our Flag Means Death': Creator David Jenkins unpacks the show's central love triangle and that unforgettable merman scene

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Megan Batoon is host of Netflix's "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals."</li><li>She says she's learned to take a slower approach to travel. </li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/meganbatoon/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Megan Batoon</em></a><em>. The following has been edited for length and clarity.</em></p><p>As the host of Netflix's "<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81060530" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals,</a>" I'm lucky that I get to travel to <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/travel/most-remote-private-vacation-rentals-us">some pretty awesome places</a> as part of my job. Even when I'm not working, I love exploring the world: I'm currently looking forward to a friend's wedding in the <a href="https://www.insider.com/italians-share-tourist-free-destinations-to-visit-in-italy-2020-7">south of Italy</a>.</p><p>There are almost as many ways to travel as there are cool places to discover in the world. My approach to travel is different from my friends, and it's changed with time as I've gotten older. Whether you're traveling professionally or planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, here's what I've learned about <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-you-should-never-do-when-making-vacation-itinerary-2022-11">getting the most out of each trip</a>. </p><h2>Think about your travel vibe </h2><p>Planning a trip starts with asking yourself a question: how do you want to feel?</p><p>It sounds simple, but this question can inform your whole approach to travel. If you want to feel thrilled, pack your days with adventures and experiences that push your limits. Want to feel spoiled? Book spa days and scrumptious dinners. Knowledgeable? Look for educational tours and museums. </p><p>If you're traveling with someone else, you might need to compromise, take turns, or go on solo outings to make sure you're both fitting your vibe. I know that firsthand: my co-host is more likely to try adventures, whereas I love to spend time relaxing. </p><p>The best trips happen when our experiences make us feel exactly how we wanted to. If your plans are serving the vibe you want to create, you're off to a good start.</p><h2>Get lost on purpose</h2><p>Getting lost might sound like a travel nightmare, but in my experience, it's how the best adventures happen. My favorite experiences are the ones I've stumbled upon, not the ones I've planned. Recently I was wandering around in Bali when I found an artisan carving a wood door. I watched him for about twenty minutes. No one would have told me to go there, but I found it so inspiring. </p><p>In order to get lost, you have to have plenty of free time. I build this into my schedule by planning one thing each day that I really want to see — say, the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Then, I keep time open around that so I can dine at a café after smelling their fresh bread, duck into a gallery that catches my eye, or stop for live music that I heard on my way. Just follow your instincts and see where that takes you. When you follow your curiosity, you'll never be lost.</p><h2>Embrace a slower pace</h2><p>When I was younger, I focused on getting the most out of every single moment of a trip. I wanted to be efficient and precise with my time, effort, and money while I was traveling. </p><p>Over time, I've learned to prioritize what's important to me — namely, not being too exhausted. That means giving myself time to sleep in on vacation and the grace to eat whatever I want. Rest is OK, and you don't have to be going 24/7. When I'm traveling, the only schedule I want to be on is the one dictated by my internal clock.</p><h2>Know your travel essentials</h2><p>When I fly, I like to curl into the window seat. I put on my headphones and eye mask and don't move again until the plane touches down. That means I can be an introvert and not talk to many people, but being in one position for hours on end leaves me with lots of aches and pains. That's why I always have<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch4t8LBsMii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Advil Dual Action Back Pain</a> right in my seat-back pocket. Hydration is also key for me, so my water bottle and lip mask are never far away either. </p><p>Travel is one of my greatest joys, but it can also be a pain—quite literally. Listening to your mind, body, and soul, and not being afraid to slow down, can help you have the travel experiences and memories that will last you and your family a lifetime.</p>

I travel to the world's most amazing vacation rentals for work. Here are my tips for planning an unforgettable vacation.

You Searched For "unforgettable" and got 10 results

Rafael Nadal’s Final Serve: Tennis icon to retire after Davis Cup in November, reflects on an unforgettable journey

BI India Bureau

Top 10 activities to do in Singapore for an unforgettable visit in 2024

Ayush Mehrotra

I flew on a major airline's Pokémon-themed plane. The unforgettable experience didn't cost extra and it came with souvenirs.

Andrew Chen

Top 10 International destinations for unforgettable snow experience

Ayush

Shagun

Discover the wonders of Australia: 10 must-visit places for an unforgettable journey

BI INDIA BUREAU

Top 10 must-do activities in Sri Lanka for unforgettable vacations

Ayush Mehrotra

10 people living on the road shared their advice before I set off on a 13-day van trip. Their tips led to an unforgettable adventure.

Monica Humphries

Behind the scenes of 'Our Flag Means Death': Creator David Jenkins unpacks the show's central love triangle and that unforgettable merman scene

Ayomikun Adekaiyero

I travel to the world's most amazing vacation rentals for work. Here are my tips for planning an unforgettable vacation.

Kelly Burch

7 things to do in Austin that will make your 'work trip' to SXSW unforgettable

Elizabeth Wood

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides