Rudy Fernandez closed the chapter on his illustrious basketball career last summer, and now the 40-year-old Spanish legend is finding new passions while staying connected to the sport that defined his life. The former "Real Madrid" star will attend the upcoming EuroBasket tournament (August 27-September 14) as a FIBA ambassador, marking his return to the international basketball stage in a different role.
"Frankly, I don't miss competitive basketball. My decision to retire was so clear that I gradually prepared myself to say goodbye," Fernandez explained when asked about life after basketball. "Though when I go to watch games and interact with fans, I do miss that competitive adrenaline a bit."
During his remarkable 13 seasons with "Real Madrid," Fernandez collected an impressive haul of trophies: seven Spanish League titles, three EuroLeague championships, six Spanish Cups, and nine Spanish Supercups. Before that, he spent six years with "Joventut" and left his mark in the NBA with 267 games between Portland and Denver.
Interestingly, Fernandez didn't retire due to physical limitations. "I finished the season feeling quite good physically. I had a comfortable role at Madrid and could have continued for another year," he revealed. "But I felt my children needed me more, and I wanted to make way for the new generation."
With the Spanish national team, his accomplishments are equally impressive - 11 medals in total, making him the only player to have won all six gold medals (four European and two World Championships) in the team's history. The EuroBasket 2022 victory holds a special place in his heart.
"It was an incredible year. I was the captain of very young players who hadn't played in international competitions with the national team before," Fernandez recalled. "We formed a great group, a real family. Coach Sergio Scariolo understood the team perfectly, and we understood how he wanted us to play."
When asked about today's young players compared to his generation, Fernandez noted a significant difference: "Physically, young players today are better prepared than before. I was always quite athletic, but there weren't as many athletic players in my day as there are now."
The basketball icon now dedicates most of his time to his family, particularly his three children. His 8-year-old son plays football as a goalkeeper - "He's very tall and looks like he's 11," the proud father mentioned. "At that age, kids should just play and have fun. I won't demand anything from my son except that he gets involved in whatever he does, learns in every training session, and enjoys himself."
Outside family life, Fernandez has discovered a new passion in golf, a sport that has "hooked" both him and his wife. "It's a sport that takes many hours and allows me to be in a pleasant, quiet space. Sometimes I play alone, which very few sports allow you to do. I can compete against myself," he explained.
Will we see the basketball legend transition to a coaching role in the future? For now, Fernandez seems content with his ambassador duties and newfound hobbies, but in sports, as he himself notes, things can change quickly.
