Tennis is preparing to bid an emotional farewell as one of the sport’s greatest icons, Rafael Nadal, prepares for retirement after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who is now 38, will play for Spain in their group-stage match against the Netherlands on November 19, ending what he calls the last chapter of his last book.
Nadal was honored before his retirement by Roger Federer, long-time rival and friend. Federer, who retired in 2022 with 20 titles in Grand Slams, looked back at the storied rivalry between him and Nadal. The two have played each other 40 times, Nadal winning 24 matches, the highlights of which was the legendary 2008 Wimbledon final.
“Rafa, you have made the whole tennis world proud,” Federer wrote on Instagram. “You pushed me like no one else. Playing you on clay was like stepping into your backyard, and it forced me to evolve in ways I never imagined.” Nadal even made Federer go onto a larger racquet head that could help him better with just him.
His legend began with a thrilling victory over Federer in their very first meeting in 2004, when the then-teenager from Mallorca burst onto the tennis scene. Over two decades, Nadal constructed an extraordinary legacy, including a record 14 French Open titles.
Their rivalry culminated in a touching moment at the 2022 Laver Cup, where they played doubles together in Federer’s final match. Both were visibly emotional as Federer bid farewell to the sport.
“Sharing that night with you, Rafa, was one of the most special moments of my career,” Federer added. “I’ll always be cheering for you, both on and off the court.”
As Nadal prepares for his swansong, it is a tearful goodbye the fans around the world are bracing themselves for. His achievements have not only sent Spain into raptures but also etched his name in stone in the pages of tennis annals.
Tune in as Spain clashes with the Netherlands in the Davis Cup on November 19 to watch live online and on BBC Radio 5 Live.
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