sport news Surf legend Kelly Slater chokes back tears and gets emotional about his family ... trends now
It was almost fitting that it took the current world No.1 to bring down the curtain on the greatest career in surfing history.
Kelly Slater, the 11-time world champion, chose to give Griffin Colapinto a hug as the clock ticked down in their round of 32 heat at the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday with one final miracle escape beyond the 52-year-old legend.
Slater needed a win in WA to survive the mid-season cut. After surviving an elimination heat on Tuesday morning at Main Break, he found the current rankings leader Colapinto too much to handle.
Slater was chaired off the beach and up the stairs to loud cheers, with a high five from fellow American Colapinto on the way through, before revealing he'd asked for a wildcard into the next event in Fiji because he didn't want to end on a wave that had never been kind to him.
The 52-year-old surfing legend was struggling to hold back his emotions after being knocked out of the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday
Slater was chaired from the beach at what's almost certainly his final ever event as a professional surfer
'It's so much emotion for so long, so much dedication,' he said, choking back the tears.
'It's not all roses, you know? But it's been the best time of my life.
'My family is at home watching, love you guys.
'I couldn't quite pull a miracle off this week but I pulled a few off over the years.
'I still had that hope out there, you know? One might pop up with a minute to go.
'But to lose to the No.1 you know Griff [Griffin Colapinto] is the No.1 guy, I've been close friends with Griff for a long time.
'So I am kind of avoiding that emotion, because it is all right there bubbling up.
'But it hit me at Sunset [Hurley Pro Sunset Beach] this year [where Slater first said he was questioning whether to retire].'
Eleven-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater gave his all in his final competitive event at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro
