.jpg)
In a significant moment for the tennis world, Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup finals in November, concluding his illustrious career that saw him win twenty-two Grand Slam titles. The news prompted heartfelt tributes from fellow players, including tennis great Novak Djokovic and rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic Hails Rafael Nadal’s Legacy; Carlos Alcaraz Calls Retirement News “Painful”
Djokovic, Rafael Nadal’s longtime rival and the holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, took to Instagram to pay tribute to the Spanish legend. “Your tenacity, dedication, and fighting spirit will inspire generations to come. Your legacy will endure forever,” wrote Djokovic. Their rivalry, one of the fiercest in tennis history, saw them clash 60 times, with Djokovic narrowly leading their head-to-head with 31 wins to Nadal’s 29. Their first meeting was at the French Open in 2006, where Nadal triumphed, and their last battle was at this year’s Paris Olympics, where Djokovic came out on top.
Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy who has already won four Grand Slam titles, was deeply moved by Nadal’s retirement news. “When I saw the news, it was hard to accept. I was a bit in shock,” Alcaraz said after his loss in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals. “Seeing him leave tennis, something he loves so much is painful; it truly hurts me.”
Alcaraz, who is set to team up with Rafael Nadal in the upcoming Davis Cup, shared how much he values the time they will spend together on the court. “I will try to make the most of the time I will be with him… to take advantage of his last moments on the court as a professional,” he added. Alcaraz, who idolized Nadal growing up, credited him for inspiring his career, saying, “It’s thanks to him I became a professional tennis player.”
World number one Jannik Sinner also praised Nadal, calling him “an unbelievable person.” Sinner reflected on Nadal’s influence on the younger generation of players, saying, “He taught us how to behave on the court, how to handle situations, and to stay humble despite his success.”
Nadal’s decision to step away from the sport marks the end of an era. At 38 years old, he leaves behind a record-breaking career that included 92 titles and over $135 million in prize money. However, his career was often hindered by injuries, a by-product of his high-intensity playing style.
As the tennis world grapples with Nadal’s departure, many are wondering if the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz will take the mantle from the historic “Big Three” era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Speaking of Nadal’s retirement, Sinner said, “Everything has a beginning… and also an ending. Only he knows how he feels. It’s a tough one.”
Djokovic, still competing in the Shanghai Masters, is set to face Czech teenager Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals on Friday. Reflecting on the impact of the Big Three, Sinner remarked, “We were very lucky to see them play, and I consider myself lucky to know them personally and learn from them.”
As Nadal prepares for his final tournament, the tennis community is left to celebrate a legacy that will forever define the sport.
