Alongside his 14 French Open titles, Rafael Nadal is also a four-time US Open champion and has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice each.
Rafael Nadal has been hailed as a “legend” and “one of the greatest of all time” after announcing his retirement at the end of this season. The tennis icon, a 22-time Grand Slam champion will play his final matches at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. Moreover, tributes have poured in from his fellow ‘Big Three’ rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who praised Nadal’s impact on the sport.
Djokovic stated, “You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis… Your legacy will live forever.” Nadal retires as the second-most successful men’s singles player with 14 French Open titles, only behind Djokovic. Furthermore, Federer expressed his sadness over Nadal’s retirement, saying, “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come.” He thanked Nadal for the unforgettable memories they shared on the court.
In addition, young star Carlos Alcaraz, who has won four Grand Slam titles called the news “difficult,” noting Nadal’s influence on his career. Alcaraz shared on social media, “Thank you very much for being an example at all levels; your legacy is unrepeatable.” Current world number one Jannik Sinner also reflected on the impact Nadal has had on tennis while women’s world number four Coco Gauff praised his greatness and work ethic.
The ATP Tour expressed sorrow over the news, stating, “There are no words for how this feels, the day we wished would never come.” Moreover, tributes also came from outside tennis, with football stars like Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledging Nadal’s contributions to sports and celebrating his incredible career. Ultimately, Rafael Nadal leaves behind a legacy that has inspired countless athletes worldwide, cementing his place as a true sports legend.
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