On Thursday, October 10, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis. The 22-time Major winner is set to play competitively one last time for Spain at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals next month. His greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, shared their respective tributes and some special memories.
Injuries have prevented Rafael Nadal from playing at his best over the last few years. The Spaniard miraculously won the 2022 editions of the Australian Open and the French Open, but since then, he has struggled to rediscover his peak form and fitness levels. Right from the beginning of the ongoing season, there were murmurs of Nadal’s imminent retirement, and now, the former World No. 1 himself has confirmed it.
Not long after the record 14-time French Open champion’s official retirement announcement, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic took to Instagram to reminisce some of their most cherished memories with the Spaniard. The pictures later made their way to X (formerly Twitter).
Federer, who was Nadal’s fiercest rival until the mercurial rise of Djokovic, shared pictures featuring him and the Spaniard dating back to the 2000s. Among them was a moment that came after their epic 2008 Wimbledon Championships final, which Nadal won. There were some pictures from the later stages of their respective careers as well. One of them featured the Swiss and the Spaniard celebrating a Laver Cup title triumph.
Novak Djokovic, Nadal’s greatest rival in terms of the number of matches played and the number of titles they fought for, shared pictures of him and the Spaniard spending time together both on and off the court.
Federer and Djokovic also had words of appreciation for Nadal in the aftermath of the Spaniard’s retirement confirmation.
“Always hoped this day would never come”, “Your legacy will live forever” – Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s heartfelt Rafael Nadal tributes
Shortly after Rafael Nadal confirmed that the 2024 Davis Cup Finals would mark his final outing as a professional tennis player, both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic wrote about how they felt about the Spaniard and his contribution to tennis.
Federer lauded Nadal for his staggering achievements in tennis- 92 ATP Tour-level titles inclusive of 22 Grand Slams, four Davis Cup titles with Spain, and two Olympic gold medals.
“What a career, Rafa! 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 honor!” Federer wrote as a comment on Nadal’s Instagram post, via which the Spaniard confirmed his retirement.
Djokovic also penned a heartfelt message and credited the Spaniard for making him a better player through their intense rivalry. The Serb also promised that he would be physically present at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga for Nadal’s on-court farewell.
“Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. 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,” Djokovic wrote.
“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. Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you best possible farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career,” the Serb added.
Federer and Nadal clashed on 40 occasions, with the Spaniard leading the pair’s head-to-head 24-16. Meanwhile, Djokovic and Nadal squared off 60 times, with the Serb winning on 31 occasions.
