“Legend”, “role model”, “inspiration”, “friend”: Rafael Nadal’s announcement that he is to retire after next month’s Davis Cup Finals prompted an outpouring of affection across the sporting world and beyond.
Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time who has won 22 grand slam titles and spent 209 weeks as the world No 1, published a video on several social media platforms on Thursday morning revealing the “difficult decision” to call time on his career.
Roger Federer, whom Nadal considered to be his greatest rival, said he “always hoped this day would never come”, Carlos Alcaraz said he had made him want to be a tennis player and the footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé described him as an example to everyone.
“What a career Rafa!” Federer wrote on Nadal’s Instagram in response to the 38-year-old’s video outlining his retirement plans, just over two years after Federer’s own retirement. “I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour.”
Novak Djokovic messaged Nadal via two posts on X: “You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become icon of tennis and sport in general … thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.”
The former world No 1 Andy Roddick, one of the first to witness Nadal’s talent first-hand when he was beaten by the then 18-year-old in the 2004 Davis Cup final, said: “I knew tennis earth was in a lot of trouble.”
22 – grand slam titles
14 – French Open titles, the most by any player at any slam
112 – victories at Roland Garros
4 – defeats at Roland Garros
4 – US Open titles
2 – Wimbledon titles
2 – Australian Open titles
13 – years between Nadal's two Melbourne titles, in 2009 and 2022
30 – grand slam final appearances
92 – tour-level singles titles
2 – Olympic gold medals, one in singles and one in doubles
36 – ATP Masters 1000 titles
4 – Davis Cup titles with Spain
12 – titles at the Barcelona Open, with 11 at the Monte-Carlo Masters
81 – consecutive matches won on clay from April 2005 to May 2007
209 – weeks spent at world No 1
5 – years ended as world No 1
912 – consecutive weeks spent in the top 10 between April 2005 and March 2023 more than any other man
24 – victories over Roger Federer from 40 matches
29 – victories over Novak Djokovic from 60 matches
1,080 – tour-level matches won
Nick Kyrgios, who shared an occasionally tumultuous relationship with Nadal on the court, wrote on X: “Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa. I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for. He was a motivation – I guess an inspiration. Fuck – it’s true - people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people. Damn.”
The current world No 1, Jannik Sinner, emphasised his affection for Nadal the person. “I was very lucky to get to know him… and he’s an unbelievable person,” he said in Shanghai. “Of course, the player, we all saw how good he has been and the lessons he taught us young players, how to behave on the court, how to handle situations on the court, tough situations. And also to stay humble [at] the same time, not changing with the success, choosing the right people around him, having a great family.”
Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal’s Davis Cup teammate and partner at this summer’s Olympics, said he had been shocked to hear the news. “Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I watched it,” he said in Shanghai. “It was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit. It is a really difficult thing, really difficult news for everybody, and even tougher for me. He has been my idol since I start playing tennis. I look up to him. Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to become a professional tennis player. Losing him, in a certain way, is going to be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as I can when he’s going to play.”
Nadal, a Real Madrid fan, will doubtless have been touched by the reaction of several Galacticos, past and present. “What an incredible career you have had,” wrote Cristiano Ronaldo. “Your dedication, passion and incredible talent has inspired millions of people all over the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend.” Vinicius Jr described him simply as “Legend”, saying “you were an example for everyone” and Mbappé said: “Congratulations on your career, Rafa, an example as a player and a person. Enjoy your retirement. You will always be a legend.” The former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos wrote: “What an example as a player and most important, as a person”.
The president of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, promised a fitting tribute and other politicians offered warm words. Carlos Moya said it had been an honour to share Nadal’s journey, as coach and friend, while Roland-Garros, where he won a record 14 times, perhaps summed things up best: “King – Thank you for everything Rafa”, it said on X.
