By love-89.com Unexpected yet understandable, Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal announced his upcoming retirement on social media on October 10th.
At 38 years old, Nadal has faced relentless injuries over the past two years. Spanish media reported in 2023 that he suffered from a total of 22 injuries and ailments affecting his wrist, shoulder, back, neck, thighs, and knees.
Now, he has finally declared that he will retire after participating in next month’s Davis Cup, marking the end of a remarkable 24-year professional tennis career.
Nadal is one of the iconic figures in men’s tennis, often mentioned alongside retired Swiss maestro Roger Federer and current player Novak Djokovic, collectively known as the “Big Three.” Together they hold a staggering 66 Grand Slam titles, with Nadal claiming 22 of those, putting him second among male players, just behind Djokovic’s 24.
Known for his distinctive playing style, Nadal’s powerful topspin, quick footwork, and unyielding determination have become his trademarks. These characteristics significantly contributed to his exceptional performance on clay courts.
In 2005, during his debut at the French Open, Nadal won the championship, earning the title of “the boy wonder.” His celebratory gesture of lying on the clay court became iconic. Although many anticipated that he would celebrate multiple titles at Roland Garros, no one could have predicted he would perform his “victory lie” 14 times.
The French Open has witnessed Nadal’s rise to stardom and his enduring legacy; from his long hair to the wrinkles on his face, it has seen a Spaniard evolve into a celebrated citizen of Paris. Through his performances, Nadal has exemplified the words inscribed on the stands of the French Open’s central court—“Victory belongs to the most tenacious.”
In addition to his shining moments on clay, Nadal has also triumphed at the other three Grand Slam events, securing four victories at the US Open and two each at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Furthermore, he won gold medals in men’s singles and doubles at the Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Olympics, respectively.
Nadal’s physically demanding style of play has led to numerous injuries throughout his career, yet his relentless spirit and ability to overcome adversity have earned him the nickname “The Warrior.” In an ATP-organized Q&A session, when asked who possesses the strongest willpower among players, the unanimous answer was Nadal.
One of the most compelling displays of Nadal’s indomitable spirit took place during the 2022 Australian Open final. Facing Daniil Medvedev, who had already taken the first two sets at 6-2, 7-6 (5), Nadal found himself down 2-3 in the third set and facing three break points at 0-40. It seemed victory was slipping away to Medvedev. However, Nadal rallied with a champion’s heart and fought back to win that game, going on to take the third set. In an exhausting five-set match that lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes, Nadal made a stunning comeback to defeat the ten years younger Medvedev and claim the championship.
On the court, Nadal is known as the tenacious “Warrior,” while his obsessive preparation rituals have also left a lasting impression on fans. His meticulous routine before serving—adjusting his hair, wiping sweat, tugging at his sleeves and shorts—is always executed flawlessly. The precise placement of his water bottles during breaks often cracks up the audience.
Off the court, Nadal lives a life like anyone else, relishing time away from tennis on the island of Mallorca, where he enjoys outings with family and fishing. He has expressed his love for cooking, admitting that some of his eating habits do not align with strict athlete dietary standards.
As an honorary member of Real Madrid, Nadal’s passion for football is well-known. He often showcases his footwork during tennis training and even took the time to watch the Champions League final with family during the 2022 French Open, an experience that did not interfere with his championship run.
As Nadal stated in his retirement announcement, “In life, everything that has a beginning has an end. I think now is the right time to put a finishing touch on my long tennis career, which has been much longer and more successful than I ever imagined.”
Nadal is set to retire, but the world of tennis will continue without him. Even in retirement, his journey will proceed onward.