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Rafa ends stellar career after ‘difficult years’

Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis at 38

Source: X / Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 38.

Nadal won 22 grand slam titles in an unprecedented era he shared with rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard has competed infrequently the past two seasons because of injuries and said next month’s Davis Cup finals would mark his farewell to the sport.

He had hip surgery in 2023 and has entered just two of the past eight majors.

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two, especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” Nadal said on Thursday (local time).

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

Nadal’s unrelenting, physical style of play – every point pursued as though it were his last, sprinting and sliding into place for that high-bouncing bullwhip of a lefty forehand – made him one of the greats of the game and the unquestioned “king of clay”, the slow, red surface on which he dominated.

His record 14 French Open championships are more than anyone, man or woman, has won at any one of the sport’s four major tournaments. The dominance is celebrated by a statue of Nadal that stands near the main entrance to the grounds of Roland Garros.

In a result that symbolised where things stood for his body, and career, he exited in the French Open’s first round this year, a straight-set loss to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Nadal returned there for the Paris Olympics, where he lost to old rival Djokovic in the second round of singles. He hasn’t played since.

Nadal tennis retire

Nadal has been king of clay in Paris since his 2005 French Open triumph. Photo: AAP

In addition to his French Open monopoly, Nadal won four trophies at the US Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, giving him a career grand slam twice over.

“I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” Nadal said.

His last pair of major titles was in 2022, at Melbourne in January and at Paris in June, pushing him ahead of Federer.

Both have since been surpassed by Djokovic, 37, who is up to 24 majors.

So much of Nadal’s success was seen, fairly or not, through the prism of his encounters with Federer and Djokovic.

The tennis world, and plenty outside of it, were consumed with the debate over who was most deserving of the GOAT – “greatest of all time” – moniker. The world, tennis or otherwise, was fascinated by their matchups, their differing styles and personalities.

Who among those who witnessed it could possibly forget Nadal versus Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final? Or Nadal versus Djokovic in the 2022 French Open quarters? Or Nadal versus Djokovic in the 2012 Australian Open final? And so on.

Nadal played Djokovic 60 times, a record for two men in the Open era. Djokovic won 31-29 overall, while Nadal led 5-4 in slam finals. Nadal met Federer 40 times, Nadal winning 24-16, including 6-3 in slam finals.

“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love,” Federer told Nadal via social media.

Nadal’s overall resume is unimpeachable: A total of 209 weeks as world No.1, 92 singles titles, a 1080-227 win-loss record – and just shy of $US135 million ($201 million) in prize money.

“Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal said. “I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way.”

‘Don’t retire’: Kyrgios

The tennis world has offered a fond salute to Rafael Nadal following his retirement announcement, with even old foe Nick Kyrgios begging him not leave the stage he’s graced so dazzlingly for so long.

Australian tennis stars of different generations were among those saluting the great Spaniard after Nadal declared he would retire after the Davis Cup finals in November.

Rod Laver hailed the 38-year-old, who won two of his 22 grand slam titles in the Melbourne arena named after the great Aussie, as a “truly remarkable human”.

“Another tough one. Retirement is inevitable but I’m going to miss watching this bloke fighting for every point like no other,” said Laver on X.

Kyrgios had some tremendous matches as well as celebrated run-ins with Nadal, stretching back to their first clash at Wimbledon 10 years ago when the kid from Canberra first made an international name for himself with a stunning victory.

Subsequently, they had an infamous Mexico Open bust-up in 2019 when Kyrgios complained about Nadal taking too long between serves and the Spaniard infuriated the Australian afterwards by saying he “lacks respect for the public, the rival and towards himself”.

But though Kyrgios also smashed the ball straight at Nadal’s chest in another Wimbledon clash in 2019 and wouldn’t apologise later, the underlying respect was obvious when the Aussie talked of his regret in 2022 that the Spaniard had to pull out injured before their Wimbledon semi-final.

“Rafa don’t retire I wanna play you 1 last time,” Kyrgios, who lost six of their nine matches, wrote on X.

“Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa. I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for. He was a motivation – I guess an inspiration. F— – it’s true – people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people.”

“We had our differences but you were one hell of a warrior. Best wishes and good luck with whatever comes next.”

Carlos Alcaraz, with whom Nadal hopes to win the Davis Cup triumph next month, said: “From the child who watched you on TV and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing alongside you at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympic Games!

“Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable.”

In Shanghai, world No.1 Jannik Sinner said: “It’s tough news for all the tennis world, and not only the tennis world. He’s an unbelievable person.”

The plaudits also came from beyond tennis.

“Rafa, what an incredible race you’ve had!” soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo said.

“Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend. Congrats on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!”

-AAP

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