New Delhi: Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell to tennis as he drew curtains on a glorious 23-year career after Spain’s defeat against New Zealand in the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, November 19. Nadal went down fighting against Botic Van de Zandschulp in the final singles match of his career, marking an end to his stellar 29-match winning streak in the Davis Cup.
The legendary Spaniard played the final match of his illustrious career in front of a packed crowd in Malaga with the fans soaking in every bit of his final moments on the court. Nadal, who will go down as one of the greatest male tennis players of all time, retired with an impressive 22 Grand Slams, making him the second-most successful male player of all time behind only his eternal rival Novak Djokovic.
There was hardly anyone in the tennis fraternity left untouched by the gloominess surrounding Nadal’s retirement as several players from the past and present took to social media to pay heartfelt tributes to the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Emotional messages and tributes poured in from all corners after Nadal’s swansong in Malaga.
While the legendary Roger Federer had already shared an emotional, heartfelt note for his long-term rival on social media earlier, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Iga Swiatek, and Emma Raducanu also took to social media to share farewell messages for Nadal. Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion herself, shared a video wearing a Nadal t-shirt with a classy message for the Spaniard.
“@rafaelnadal Congratulations on a career that most [won’t] dare to dream of. I feel so fortunate to have been able to play when you were playing and being Great. You inspired me to be better, to play harder, for fight, to never give up, and to win more. No excuses, just play the sport. Your legacy will never die. Wow to see your career from the beginning to today was an honor, Champ! Long live Rafa,” Serena wrote with her video.
No one like you: Maria Sharapova hails Rafael Nadal
Sharapova, another tennis great, who clinched 5 Grand Slams in her career, lauded Nadal for his grit and fighting spirit in a heartfelt farewell message for the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Sharapova came up with special praise for Nadal as she said there is no one quite like the Spaniard while praising him for the way he carried himself throughout his career.
“No one like you, @rafaelnadal. I have so much respect for your grit, your love of the ‘fight,’ and the pure class with which you showed up, even on a tough day,” Sharapova wrote for Nadal on her Instagram story.
Here’s how others bid farewell to the ‘King of Clay’
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I…
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
Too much 😭 https://t.co/co3YK4rp6C
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) November 19, 2024
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) November 19, 2024
Rafa, watching you compete has been a privilege. Your legacy will endure as one of the greatest to ever grace the game. Thank you for the countless unforgettable moments and for setting a standard of excellence that will inspire generations to come. Wishing you happiness and… pic.twitter.com/gOgGAS7VCC
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) November 20, 2024
I’d like to be remembered as a kid who achieved more than he dreamed: Nadal
Emotions running high after his swansong at the David Cup following Spain’s defeat against Netherlands in the quarter-final, Nadal said he would like to be remembered as a kid who went on to achieve more than he dreamt of. Nadal said he would not like to be remembered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time but as a good person.
“I’d like to be remembered as a kid that achieved more than I ever dreamed,” Nadal said during an on-court presentation. I have been very lucky in the life I have had the opportunity to live, I have lived unforgettable experiences because of tennis,” Nadal said in his farewell speech.
“I was just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. The way I’d like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” he added.
Nadal finished his career with an incredible 92 singles titles and 1080 wins in men’s singles tennis. 63 of his 92 titles came on clay, justifying the ‘King of Clay’ tag for the Spaniard, who played an impressive 30 Grand Slam finals and won 22 majors in a career that won’t be forgotten in the times to come. Nadal also owns the record for the most French Open men’s singles titles – 14 which is also the most title wins by a player in singles at any Grand Slam competition.
The legendary Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and others paid heartfelt tribute to 22-time Grand Slam champions Rafael Nadal who retired from tennis on Tuesday after going down against Botic Van de Zandschulp in Davis Cup quarter-finals between Spain and Netherlands. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
