Rafael Nadal‘s competitive tennis career is now officially over. He transcended men’s tennis and became a legend and icon.
Some of his past and present peers in women’s tennis honored him today as Spain bowed out of the Davis Cup competition losing to the Netherlands 2-1.
Aryna Sabalenka Wears Rafael Nadal Gear
WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka took to social media to show her outfit of the day honoring Rafael Nadal.
She was wearing Nike gear including his signature bandana with his logo, a special item for the day, as his bandana normally has the Nike logo. Speaking of his signature bandana, Nike made a t-shirt with a picture of Nadal tying his bandana as he did countless times in his career. Nadal was superstitious and a creature of habit so this was one of his signature prematch preparations.
Aryna Sabalenka x Rafa Nadal
📸 Aryna Sabalenka pic.twitter.com/j2dYqyBTi5
— GlamSpinTennis (@GlamSpinTennis) November 19, 2024
Maria Sharapova Also Wears Nadal’s Nike Gear
Sharapova is wearing the same t-shirt as Sabalenka. She noted in her social media video that the “only merch I’d ever wear is Spice Girls & Rafa.”
Maria Sharapova wearing Rafa Nadal merch:
“The only merch I’d ever wear is Spice Girls & Rafa” 🥹
(via @MariaSharapova) pic.twitter.com/VxPeONbrZ2
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 19, 2024
Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff Commented On Rafael Nadal
Serena Williams had her Nike gear and a video message for Nadal.
Serena Williams decked out in Rafa Nadal gear today with a beautiful message for him:
“We’re gonna always love you. We’re gonna always miss you. This isn’t a retirement right? You’re moving on.”
🐐 supporting a 🐐
My heart. 🥹
(via @serenawilliams) pic.twitter.com/GB2pbQAhTW
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 19, 2024
Like the rest of the tennis world, Serena Williams was glued to her television watching Nadal’s final match. On social media, she said: “Why am I getting so choked up. With @RafaelNadal retirement. I’m not good at goodbyes.”
https://t.co/Mf8d6xIODD pic.twitter.com/Kr1deHG3NM
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) November 19, 2024
Iga Swiatek replied with a crying cat gif. She also reposted the video of a tearful Nadal during the Spanish anthem and wrote “Too much” with a crying emoji.
Too much 😭 https://t.co/co3YK4rp6C
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) November 19, 2024
Coco Gauff posted: “today I am from spain #rafa” with the Spanish flag.
today, I am from spain 🇪🇸 #rafa
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) November 19, 2024
Rafa is loved and will be missed. A generation of fans have not gotten over Roger Federer and Andy Murray’s retirements in the past two years so this is just added sadness.
Roland Garros will always be his house. No one else will ever win 14 French Opens there. Nike also made sure that Paris honored their greatest champion today.
Wow, this Nike tribute to Rafael Nadal in Paris is INSANE 🥹🇪🇸🔥 pic.twitter.com/J8TbztOemo
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) November 19, 2024
