The news of Rafael Nadals imminent retirement has shocked the whole world, although it was not a too surprising announcement. The 2024 of the Spanish legend had been too far below expectations until this moment, with only one final played on the red clay of Bastad and lost to Nuno Borges. His performances at the French Open and the Paris Olympics had worried a lot of his fans and Rafa took some time to decide his future.
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The 22-time Grand Slam champion did not have any hurry, he thought carefully with his team and family when announcing his decision yesterday. The former world number 1 will play the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia in the middle of this month and will close his legendary career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he will have the chance to represent his country for the last time as a professional tennis player.
The champion from Manacor has no regrets and gave his all throughout his career, becoming a source of inspiration for many athletes in every corner of the world. The hope of fans and professionals is that he will stay in touch with the world of tennis and play an active role in its growth even after his retirement.
Many messages
In the last few hours, the 14-time French Open champion has received a lot of messages and tributes from his colleagues and also from athletes from other sports, testifying to his enormous impact over the past 20 years. As far as everyone knew that the farewell to tennis of Rafael Nadal was near, the news of his retirement has unleashed a flood of comments and testimonies. The Spanish top tennis player has published a long and moving video to announce his retirement from the scene, which will take place after the Davis Cup Finals scheduled in Malaga in November, his last official event as a professional tennis player.
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Many of his former colleagues or players still in activity immediately commented on the news, undoubtedly sad for any fan of this sport. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, rival historians, nicknamed by all the Big Three for their dominance over the rest of the tour for more than twenty years, have dedicated a splendid thought to the Spanish icon.
"What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It was an absolute honor! " King Rogers words have inevitably touched the hearts of all fans,' Roger wrote.
"You have inspired millions of children to play tennis and I think this is probably the greatest achievement anyone could ever want. Your tenacity, dedication and fighting spirit will be taught for decades. Your passion for representing Spain has always been admirable. I wish you the best possible farewell to Malaga with the Spanish Davis Cup team. I will be there in person to pay tribute to your extraordinary career," Nole wrote, meeting him at the Davis Cup Finals.
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Fognini pays tribute to Rafa
In the following hours, then came the dedication of another tennis player, who perhaps more than many others has been able to put into difficulty Nadal on his surface, the red earth. Lets talk about former Top 10 and Italian aceFabio Fognini, who wrote this wonderful post on Instagram: "Its time to say goodbye... and even if its difficult for me, at the same time its easy to thank you for everything youve done for our beloved sport.
I feel lucky, and also a little bit unlucky, because one day I will be able to say that I have shared almost my entire career with a legend, a friend off the track and a rival inside, because sport is like this. There have been many battles we played and I am happy every time I went out to compete against you; I always learned how to fight in suboptimal conditions. And most of all thank you for letting me win sometimes. I wish you the best, I show. A hug to your whole family".
Despite the many injuries he suffered along his amazing journey, Nadal never gave up and had a longer career than was to be expected. In a press conference during the WTA 1000 of Wuhan, US Open championAryna Sabalenka paid tribute to Rafa: I watched his retirement video before the match, it was very emotional, I didn't cry but my eyes were moist. It is incredible what he achieved in the sport, he is an inspiration for all of us and for the next generation, for all current players. He is a legend, but everything has a beginning and an end, we will all reach that moment. I am very happy for all he was able to achieve, he is a hard worker, he had a lot of love for the sport, something that people enjoy watching. I wish him all the best in his next chapter, he is an amazing person.
