Almost everyone expected that the retirement of Rafael Nadal would take place at the French Open, but the Spanish legend has made a different decision. Fans will remember that the 22-time Grand Slam champion had not wanted any tribute from the organizers after losing to German Alexander Zverev in the first round of 2024 Roland Garros, opening up the possibility of returning in 2025.

The former world number 1 also failed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he failed to win a medal in either singles or doubles. The 14-time French Open champion decided to skip the US Open and the Laver Cup, further fueling speculation about his future. After much uncertainty and a long silence, Rafa has announced that the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga will be the last official event of his career. Nadal will not play in 2025, having already understood that his body does not assist him as before.

The Spaniard returned to action at the ‘Six Kings Slam‘ in Saudi Arabia last week, losing to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic before receiving a golden racket from the event organizers. Former world number 1 has thanked all his rivals and fans who have made him feel loved for over two decades.

A great competitor

Rafa has been at his best throughout his career and has never given up, even when it seemed impossible for him to return to the highest levels. His achievements in 2022 will forever be remembered in the history of this sport and his legacy is destined to last for many decades.

Speaking with Tennis Channel, Patrick McEnroe paid tribute to the Spaniard: “On, knowing Rafa reasonably well, I wouldn’t say I’m, you know, friends with him, but, been around him a lot. He’s probably gonna have a nice little doggy like this, with his son Rafa, so he’s gonna be just fine. But you put it really well. I mean, not only is he arguably the greatest competitor we’ve ever seen in tennis, maybe in sports in general, you gotta put him up there. But so humble and such a great sportsman example.”

He continued: “I helped run our John McEnroe Tennis Academy here in New York with my brother, and, all the kids, over the years that I’ve been there, show up with the Rafa headband, his racket. I tell them, you’re probably not going to be able to hit the forehand like Rafa, okay? But you can learn from his attitude, which was 110% every time he went out on the court. No excuses. Be humble. Respect the game, which is why he never broke a racket. Respect the opponent,” he added.

The former world number 1 has always had impeccable behavior both on and off the field and young players have been inspired by a legend like him. Rafa was overtaken by Djokovic in the all-time Slam Championship standings, but he can’t really have any regrets. Although he has had to miss several Grand Slam tournaments due to injuries, Nadal has achieved more than he could have dreamed of during his career and played at the highest level until he was 38. The 38-year-old from Manacor has participated in some of the most memorable moments in modern tennis history, managing to win many titles even far away from ‘his’ red clay.

Memorable moments

In an interview with ‘AS’, the Spaniard selected his favorite moments of his amazing career: “Roland Garros 2006, for example. Because it was the first year after the foot injury. Really, and I don’t want to make an epic story, it’s true, we didn’t think I would play tennis at a competitive level again.

I remember that one, because we went through many bad times. The more advanced injuries in your career, when you have already achieved a lot, are tolerated in one way or are seen from a slightly different perspective. But when you have just started and you have spent your whole life preparing for it and in the first year that you really have a good one they tell you that you will not play again, it is hard.

It was not a matter of a few weeks, but several months. From Madrid, which was indoor, until January, I could not find a solution. And then Wimbledon 2008, the Olympic Games that year, which were also very nice, were key in my career. All of 2013, because after 2012 when I was unable to play from Wimbledon to Vina del Mar in February 2013 and I still had a lot of pain in my knee, everything that happened was very emotional… And Australia 2022 is one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced.”