EXPLAINER
Nadal’s retirement announcement marks the top of an period. Right here’s all you should find out about his superlative profession.
Rafael Nadal has introduced his retirement from tennis after this yr’s Davis Cup remaining, ending a profession that introduced 22 Grand Slam titles, international respect and impressed rivalries with fellow greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“I’m retiring from skilled tennis. The fact is that it has been some troublesome years, these final two particularly,” Nadal mentioned on Thursday in a video on social media.
“It’s clearly a troublesome choice, one which has taken me a while to make. However on this life, the whole lot has a starting and an finish.”
Nadal, 38, is about to finish his profession as one of many best tennis gamers of all time.
Right here’s all to know in regards to the Spanish celebrity’s retirement, legacy and what occurs subsequent:
Did age and accidents drive Nadal to retire?
In some ways, sure. Nadal had beforehand mentioned he anticipated to retire this yr after a hip harm that required surgical procedure and restricted his appearances in 2023.
Nadal has been no stranger to accidents in recent times, and he developed the hip downside on the Australian Open in early 2023 and missed the French Open later that yr earlier than having surgical procedure. He has additionally suffered from fixed knee accidents courting again a number of years.
He has performed solely 23 matches up to now two seasons.
What number of years did Nadal play professionally?
Twenty-three. The boy from Mallorca turned professional in 2001. Aged 15, he received his first match at a Challenger event in Seville, Spain.
What number of tennis titles has Nadal received?
- Whole Grand Slams: 22
- ATP titles: 92
- Australian Open: 2 (2009, 2022)
- French Open: 14 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
- Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 2010)
- US Open: 4 (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
- Olympic golds: 1 singles (2008), 1 doubles (2016)
- Davis Cup: 5 (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019)
What number of weeks did he spend as world primary?
He was top-ranked for 209 weeks. Nadal was primary on the earth on the finish of 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019.
What’s Nadal’s profession prize cash?
He made a complete of $134.9m.
When will Nadal play his final event?
On the Davis Cup remaining for Spain, beginning on November 19.
What’s Nadal’s most memorable tennis match?
The Wimbledon 2008 males’s singles remaining. His victory over grass courtroom specialist Federer on Centre Courtroom on the All England Membership is broadly regarded to be one of many best matches the lads’s sport has ever seen. Nadal triumphed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 after 4 hours and 48 minutes.
What was distinctive about Nadal’s recreation?
The left-handed baseline participant hit a robust forehand coupled with unimaginable topspin revolutions that gave him the sting, particularly in longer rallies. Nadal will maybe be finest identified for his tenacity, tirelessness and near-perfect recreation on clay, which earned him the title “King of Clay”.
What’s going to Nadal do subsequent?
For starters, he’ll let his physique heal from the 23-year rigours {of professional} tennis. Nadal can then swap his focus to his well-known tennis academy in Mallorca, which is essentially overseen by his uncle and tennis coach Toni Nadal.
How did Federer react to Nadal’s retirement?
The Swiss tennis legend mentioned he had hoped the day his good friend Rafa retired “would by no means come”.
“What a profession, Rafa! I at all times hoped today would by no means come,” the 20-time Grand Slam winner, who retired two years in the past, mentioned in a put up on social media.
“Thanks for the unforgettable recollections and all of your unimaginable achievements within the recreation we love. It’s been an absolute honor!”
The “Fedal” rivalry spanned nearly twenty years and resulted in an emotional London farewell on the Laver Cup in September 2022.
Nadal edged out Federer of their head-to-head contests 24-16, popping out 6-3 on prime of their Grand Slam finals. The 2 clasped arms and shed tears as Federer hobbled into retirement.
What did different sports activities stars need to say about Nadal’s retirement?
- Cristiano Ronaldo: “Rafa, what an unimaginable race you’ve had! Your dedication, ardour and unimaginable expertise have impressed tens of millions around the globe. It has been an honour to witness your journey and to have the ability to name you a good friend. Congrats on an incredible profession! Get pleasure from your retirement!”
- Jannik Sinner: “It’s robust information for all of the tennis world, and never solely the tennis world. I used to be very fortunate to get to know him. He’s an unbelievable particular person.”
- Coco Gauff: “You’re wonderful! It’s been so unimaginable to witness your greatness and work ethic and have the ability to be taught from it. Wishing you all one of the best within the subsequent chapter.”
- Ons Jabeur: “Thanks Rafa for uplifting me and all of us. You may be missed.”
- Spain soccer: “One in every of our personal and one of many best athletes our nation has ever produced is retiring. Thanks Rafa, to your titles, to your values and for being the voice of our final Euro. Please allow us to shout it yet one more time. Vamos, Rafa!”
- David de Gea: “You made me love tennis.”
- Marc Marquez: “Thanks Rafa for being a reference for all of us!”
Thanks @RafaelNadal for uplifting me and all of us ❤️🙏
You may be missed 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/uixuSLG0V8— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) October 10, 2024