Rafael Nadal stole the show at the 77th Mundo DeportivoGrand Galaat thePalaudeCongressosin Barcelona. The 22-time Major winner received theExtraordinary trophy for his incredible achievements and everything he gave to tennis and sport in general.
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The legend thanked Mundo Deportivo for the award and their support over the years.Nadal retired at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, ending a professional career after 23 years. Rafa feels fine without competition, enjoying with his family and embracing new challenges.
For the first time in his adult life, Rafa can enjoyhis hobbies without thinking about schedule and practice. He travels a lot, and we recently saw him on the golf court. The Spaniard closed the 2022 season ranked 2nd behind his compatriot, Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the first half of the season, moving in front of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the GOAT race. However, the 36-year-old experienced an abdominal injury at Wimbledon and withdrew ahead of the semi-final.
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It was Nadal's last deep run at Majors! The veteran struggled in the second part of the year and lost form and confidence ahead of 2023. Rafa experienced a severe hip injury at the Australian Open, undergoing surgery and embracing the most extended break of his career.
Eager to end his career on his terms, Nadal worked hard in the gym and on the court in the second part of 2023. The legend announced his return and entered the ATP 250 event in Brisbane at the beginning of 2024.
Rafa beat two rivals and reached the quarter-final. He wasted three match points against Jordan Thompson, losing after three and a half hours and feeling the pain around his troubled hip. The veteran skipped the Australian Open and returned to Spain.
Nadal suffered another blow in February, injuring his abdominal muscles and stayingaway from the court until Barcelona in April.The king of clay could not revive his old magicat his favorite tournaments. Rafa earned five wins in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
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He experienced an early Roland Garros loss to Alexander Zverev, leaving Paris earlier than ever! Nadal skipped the grass swing andfocused on his lastOlympic Games. Rafa entered the pre-Olympic Games event in Bastad.
Competing at this event for the first time since 2005, the legend ousted four rivals and notched his first ATP final inover two years. However, he lost steam and grabbedonly three games against Nuno Borges in the title clash to finish runner-up.
The Spaniard traveled to Paris for his fourth and last Olympic Games. He defeated Marton Fucsovics in the first round and arranged the 60th clash versus Novak Djokovic. The Serb was the favorite and scored a 6-1, 6-4 triumph.
Rafa fought well from 0-4 in the second set, returning to the positive side before losing serve again in game nine. As was expected, the 22-time Major winner skipped the US Open and the Laver Cup.Nadal announced his retirement in October.
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He picked the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga as his final event. Thus, Rafa competedfor his country two decades after debuting in 2004. Nadallostto Botic van de Zandschulp6-4, 6-4, ending his incredible career and earning a well-deserved retirement.
