Rafael Nadal will retire at the end of the season at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Thus, the 22-time Major winner will end his incredible tennis journey, giving everything to our sport for over three decades. Rafa's greatest rival, Novak Djokovic, wrote an emotional post praising the Spaniard and everything he has accomplished while dealing with injuries and setbacks.
Novak highlighted Rafa's incredible fighting spirit, inspiring millions of children to embrace tennis and chase their dreams. Djokovic and Nadal embraced the Open era record, facing each other 60 times between 2006 and 2024 and sharing the court in nine Major finals!
The Spaniard overcame all the setbacks in 2020, 2021 and 2022, remaining competitive and claiming his 22nd Major title at Roland Garros two years ago. Instead of becoming world no. 1 later that season, Rafa experienced a setback at Wimbledon that led to more issues.
He never restored his A-game and decided to terminate his incredible career at 38.
Nadal wrapped up the 2022 season ranked 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz before suffering a significant blow at the Australian Open in January 2023.
The veteran injured his hip and missed the rest of the season, undergoing surgery and working on his comeback in the second part of the season. Eager to end his career on his terms, the Spaniard returned to action in Brisbane at the beginning of the current season, reaching the quarter-final but feeling the pain around his hip that forced him to skip the Australian Open.
Nadal injured his abdominal muscle in February and stayed away from the court until April. He scored four wins in Barcelona and Madrid before experiencing a tough loss in Rome, playing miles below his old level, even on the favorite surface.
Rafa faced world no. 4 Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros and fought well for over three hours. He squandered the advantage in the second set and fell 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, notching his earliest Roland Garros defeat.
Rafael Nadal will retire at the end of the season.
Nadal entered Bastad as his final preparation for the Olympic Games and stopped the clock, reaching his first final in over two years.
The veteran endured an incredible battle with Mariano Navone and ousted Duje Ajdukovic en route to the title clash. Still, the king of clay lost the steam and took only five games against Nuno Borges, finishing runner-up. Rafa injured his right thigh and gathered dark clouds over his Olympic Games participation.
The Spaniard passed the first obstacle in Marton Fucsovics before facing Novak Djokovic for the 60th and last time in a career. It was their first Olympic Games duel in 16 years, and Novak proved the status of the favorite, ousting Rafa 6-1, 6-4 en route to the last 16.
The Serb delivered his third victory over the Spaniard on Court Philippe-Chatrier, building a massive 6-1, 4-0 advantage and sealing the deal with a late break in set number two.
Djokovic lost serve two times after building a massive lead and took charge on the return, converting five of 12 break opportunities to control the scoreboard and seal the deal in straight sets.
The better-ranked player grabbed a break in the second game of the duel and took charge, opening a 5-0 advantage and sealing the first part of the duel with a hold in game seven. Not stopping there, Novak secured a double break early in the second set, taking ten of the opening 11 games and keeping Rafa miles behind.
However, the Spaniard erased the deficit with a double break, finding his range and locking the result at 4-4 with a crafty forehand winner in game eight for more drama. Djokovic recovered and raised his level in the ninth game, landing a drop shot winner on the fourth break point and building another advantage.
Novak served for the win at 5-4 and fired four winners, delivering his 31st triumph over his greatest rival in their final encounter on the Tour.
"Rafa, one post is not enough to express my respect for you and what you have done for our sport.
You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis, which is the greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication and fighting spirit will be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become an icon of tennis and sport.
Thank you for pushing me to the limit so many times in our rivalry, which has impacted me the most as a player. Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you the best possible farewell in Malaga with the Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career," Novak Djokovic said.
