Farewell with Spanish flags
“It is of course a difficult decision that took me some time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end,” explained “Rafa”. The final round of the Davis Cup in Malaga, his last tournament, should be the fitting and brilliant conclusion to his exceptional career. In his home country, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner will say goodbye to the audience with an appearance for the Spanish team from November 19th to 24th.
Nadal “made the tennis world a better place,” said three-time Wimbledon winner Boris Becker. For the Spaniard himself, everything he achieved was a “dream” come true. “I leave with the reassuring certainty that I have given my best,” explained Nadal.
He has repeatedly been slowed down by injuries in recent years. His resignation had already become apparent because of his poor body.
The decision also affects his long-term rival Federer. «What a career, Rafa! I always hoped that this day would never come,” said the Swiss, who retired in 2022, paying tribute to his competitor: “Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It was a great honor!” Nadal’s rivalry with Federer and Novak Djokovic will forever be anchored in tennis history. Together they formed the “Big Three,” which dominated men’s tennis for almost two decades. Now Djokovic alone remains on the tour.
Cristiano Ronaldo is also a Nadal fan
Appropriately enough, Nadal celebrated his last Grand Slam title two years ago in his “living room” in Paris. He had previously triumphed again in an exceptionally remarkable way in the final of the Australian Open in the 2022 season. With 22 titles at the four most important tournaments, the Mallorcan is behind the Serbian record Grand Slam winner Djokovic (24) and ahead of Federer (20) in the leaderboard.
«What an incredible career you’ve had! Your commitment, your passion and your incredible talent have inspired millions of people around the world,” wrote world football star Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spaniard.
Roland Garros in particular will remain associated with Nadal forever. In Paris, the clay court king set one of his many tennis records with his 14 titles. A statue there commemorates his brilliant achievements. This year’s French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz “was a bit in shock” when he heard about the impending retirement of his idol. “It was difficult to accept it,” said the 21-year-old: “Losing him will be difficult for us in a certain way.”
In Paris, Nadal played his last singles so far on July 29th on the Court Philippe-Chatrier. At the Summer Games he had no chance in the second round against his long-term rival, the eventual Olympic champion Djokovic. The fans’ hope that he would continue to perform afterwards was not fulfilled. The crowd favorite hasn’t played since.
The left-hander captivated fans as a teenager. His career is long and more successful than he could have ever imagined, explained Nadal, who is now the father of a two-year-old son. Rafael junior recently sat in the stands several times as a spectator with his wife and mother Xisca Perelló. Tennis icon Rod Laver also enjoyed watching Nadal: “I will miss watching this guy fight for every point like no other. A truly remarkable person,” he commented.
Nadal had already announced in May of last year that he wanted to end his glorious career in 2024. However, he added: “I can’t say 100 percent because you never know what will happen.”
Federer: “Time gnaws at you”
Federer recently encouraged Nadal to take this step. «Time eats away at you. In the end, it might be helpful to make a decision at some point. And then, when it’s over, you’re just relaxed again and say: Oh, luckily no training, luckily no more matches,” the Swiss told the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the Laver Cup, which he helped initiate in Berlin.
Nadal had to cancel participation in the team competition. He had previously not competed in the Grand Slam tournaments US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open for fitness reasons. Nadal made his last appearance on the Grand Slam stage in May at the French Open, when he lost to German tennis star Alexander Zverev in three sets in the first round.
Many titles – but also many injuries
In addition to his 14 victories at the French Open, Nadal also triumphed four times at the US Open and twice each at Wimbledon and at the Australian Open. He was number one in the world rankings for a total of 209 weeks and collected more than 134 million euros in prize money alone.
But Nadal’s powerful and intensive playing style took its toll. He was particularly troubled by Müller-Weiss syndrome, a rare disease in which bone tissue in the scaphoid bone of the foot skeleton dies.
At times he seemed to be exploiting his own body during his many comebacks. “My life and body have been sending me signals for a long time,” Nadal said in the spring. Nevertheless, he struggled back onto the court because he wanted to enjoy the game that he loves so much and that has given him so much one last time. And to say goodbye.
“He did everything for the sport,” said Federer: “It would be phenomenal if he could stick around for another season, but only Rafa himself can answer that.” He has now done that. At the prestigious Davis Cup, Nadal will come full circle in the team with Carlos Alcaraz (21) as one of his heirs after more than two decades on the tour.
Tennis fans will never forget the tears that Nadal shed two years ago when Federer retired together with the Swiss at the Laver Cup. They both sat together on the bench, sad and upset. Now tears are likely to flow again. “I think it’s the right time,” said the Spaniard as he said goodbye.
