Nearly everybody anticipated that the retirement of Rafael Nadal would happen on the French Open, however the Spanish legend has made a unique determination. Followers will do not forget that the 22-time Grand Slam champion had not wished any tribute from the organizers after shedding to German Alexander Zverev within the first spherical of 2024 Roland Garros, opening up the potential of returning in 2025.
The previous world #1 additionally failed on the 2024 Paris Olympics, the place he did not win a medal in both singles or doubles. The 14-time French Open champion determined to skip the US Open and the Laver Cup, additional fueling hypothesis about his future. After a lot uncertainty and a protracted silence, Rafa has introduced that the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga would be the final official occasion of his profession. Nadal won’t play in 2025, having already understood that his physique doesn’t help him as earlier than.
The Spaniard returned to motion on the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia final week, shedding to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic earlier than receiving a golden racket from the occasion organizers. Former world #1 has thanked all his rivals and followers who’ve made him really feel beloved for over twenty years.
A terrific competitor
Rafa has been at his finest all through his profession and has by no means given up, even when it appeared unattainable for him to return to the best ranges. His achievements in 2022 will ceaselessly be remembered within the historical past of this sport and his legacy is destined to final for a lot of a long time.
Talking with Tennis Channel, Patrick McEnroe paid tribute to the Spaniard: “On, realizing Rafa moderately nicely, I would not say I am, you realize, mates with him, however, been round him rather a lot. He is most likely gonna have a pleasant little doggy like this, together with his son Rafa, so he is gonna be simply superb. However you place it rather well. I imply, not solely is he arguably the best competitor we have ever seen in tennis, possibly in sports activities generally, you gotta put him up there. However so humble and such an amazing sportsman instance.”
He continued: “I helped run our John McEnroe Tennis Academy right here in New York with my brother, and, all the youngsters, over time that I have been there, present up with the Rafa headband, his racket. I inform them, you are most likely not going to have the ability to hit the forehand like Rafa, okay? However you’ll be able to be taught from his angle, which was 110% each time he went out on the court docket. No excuses. Be humble. Respect the sport, which is why he by no means broke a racket. Respect the opponent,” he added.
The previous world #1 has all the time had impeccable habits each on and off the sphere and younger gamers have been impressed by a legend like him. Rafa was overtaken by Djokovic within the all-time Slam Championship standings, however he can’t actually have any regrets. Though he has needed to miss a number of Grand Slam tournaments resulting from accidents, Nadal has achieved greater than he might have dreamed of throughout his profession and performed on the highest degree till he was 38. The 38-year-old from Manacor has participated in among the most memorable moments in fashionable tennis historical past, managing to win many titles even distant from ‘his’ crimson clay.
Memorable moments
In an interview with ‘AS’, the Spaniard chosen his favourite moments of his wonderful profession: “Roland Garros 2006, for instance. As a result of it was the primary 12 months after the foot harm. Actually, and I don’t wish to make an epic story, it’s true, we didn’t assume I might play tennis at a aggressive degree once more.
I do not forget that one, as a result of we went by many dangerous instances. The extra superior accidents in your profession, when you will have already achieved rather a lot, are tolerated in a technique or are seen from a barely completely different perspective. However when you will have simply began and you’ve got spent your entire life making ready for it and within the first 12 months that you simply actually have one they let you know that you’ll not play once more, it’s laborious.
It was not a matter of some weeks, however a number of months. From Madrid, which was indoor, till January, I couldn’t discover a resolution. After which Wimbledon 2008, the Olympic Video games that 12 months, which have been additionally very good, have been key in my profession. All of 2013, as a result of after 2012 once I was unable to play from Wimbledon to Vina del Mar in February 2013 and I nonetheless had lots of ache in my knee, every part that occurred was very emotional… And Australia 2022 is among the most enjoyable issues I’ve ever skilled.”
