Rafael Nadal made history of tennis, managing to transcend this sport along with two other legends such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The former world number 1 had said that 2024 would be his last year, but during the season on red clay he did not exclude being able to continue in 2025 if he felt better physically.
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The results have not been brilliant this year and the Spanish ace has never given the feeling that it can compete with the current top players. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was defeated in the first round of the French Open, a tournament in which he won 14 times, and in the second round of the Paris Olympics, not winning a medal in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
Late yesterday morning, the legend from Manacor announced that the Davis Cup Finals in November will be the last official event of his glorious career. Rafa will have the opportunity to greet his fans in Malaga and try to help his country win the trophy, perhaps even playing doubles with Alcaraz as in the Olympic tournament.
Nadal will also play the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia in mid-October, a rich exhibition that will also include Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune. In addition to winning so much in his long career, Rafa has always been considered an inspiration by all young athletes. His ability to overcome injuries and never give up was perhaps his most enduring legacy.
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Fritz is very surprised
After his win over David Goffin in Shanghai, US Open finalist Taylor Fritz opened up on Nadals announcement: "Many people were expecting his retirement to be announced. I was very surprised that it was during the Davis Cup; many were expecting it at Roland Garros, Madrid, or Barcelona. He has been trying to recover for a long time, and the fact that his retirement is happening during the Davis Cup just shows that he has been trying to play for a long time.
I have been very lucky to have played against Rafa a couple of times, in his last full year playing with a relatively solid schedule. I grew up watching Rafa.He and Roger dominated the sport, and it has been an honor to play at the same time as someone I watched on TV when I was a little kid. So, it has been an honor to play with him; it's the end of an era."
An example for everyone
The values transmitted by the Spanish will remain forever impressed in the history of this sport and the hope is that Rafa remains in touch with the sport that has made it famous throughout the world. Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinners coach together with Simone Vagnozzi, also decided to celebrate Rafael Nadal who announced yesterday his retirement with his career that will close at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November, event after which he will end his professional competitive activity. There have been many reactions and certificates of esteem in these hours towards the Spanish tennis player from the same Jannik Sinner to get to rivals and opponents always on the court as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
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The Australian coach also decided to write his own thoughts and on his X profile wrote very heartfelt words about the 22-time Spanish Slam champion. Cahill, he certainly thought a lot about the words and wrote a very heartfelt praise: "He possessed all the qualities of an athlete that you would want your children to try to imitate" is the incipit. "Kindness, respect, hard work, loyalty, generosity, conviction and willingness to fight for every single point. A model". And the conclusion: "An inspiration for every generation and timeless legend. Well done, Rafa".
Its not out of the question that the 22-time Grand Slam champion will add another tournament to his schedule to get better prepared for the Davis Cup Finals in November. 4-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz paid tribute to his compatriot: "From the boy who watched you on TV and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing by your side at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympics. Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is irreplaceable. I have enjoyed you tremendously and I will miss you greatly when you leave after the Davis Cup, Rafa. Spains captain David Ferrer said he will assess Rafas condition ahead of the event to decide if he can play in singles. Spain is the top favourite to win along with Italy.
