Rafael Nadal has announced his tennis farewell. A piece of news that had been in the air for weeks, if not months, which has found the epilogue that everyone expected: the Spanish champion will only play the Davis Cup Finals, scheduled in Malaga in November, before officially saying goodbye to tennis.
An infinite and wonderful career cannot be reviewed in a single article: Rafa was the protagonist of one of the greatest epics in sports, inextricably linking his name to clay-courts and – especially – to Roland Garros, where he won 14 titles, something absolutely crazy and probably unrepeatable.
Among the unforgettable rivalries were those with his great rivals and traveling companions, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who dominated the Tour for 20 years, rewriting the history of our wonderful sport from scratch.
Under the long and moving video published by Rafa on social media to announce his retirement from tennis, one of the first to comment was the Swiss Maestro, who wrote:
“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and for all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It has been an absolute honor!”
Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024
But it wasn’t just Federer, of course. Many, including tournaments, federations, athletes, hailed the Spanish champion. Below are the most significant posts on X:
The end is near! 🥺
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis after November’s Davis Cup finals. #BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/MExCvnIDNC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 10, 2024
Forever a champion. #Wimbledon | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/pe1XpcWycx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 10, 2024
Rafael Nadal, thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/lJSmKGjxYb
— carlos alcaraz (@cazgifs) October 10, 2024
Legendary memories. You are so loved around the world and here with us in Australia. Grateful for all the unforgettable moments 💙 Gracias, Rafa. For everything!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 10, 2024
Thank you @RafaelNadal for everything you have given to the sport. To have the chance to spend a few weeks training with you a few years ago is something I’ll never forget. To watch you work as an athlete but also get to know you as a person off the court was even more special.… pic.twitter.com/Obyrk5V5mh
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) October 10, 2024
❤️💛#FIFAWorldCup | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/bWUJXs2JvU
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 10, 2024
Endless pride, golden memories.
👋 @RafaelNadal | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/iVusid2q82
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 10, 2024
Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis 🎾🚨 pic.twitter.com/AeDqa5pII0
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) October 10, 2024
Thank you @RafaelNadal for inspiring me and all of us ❤️🙏
You will be missed 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/uixuSLG0V8— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) October 10, 2024
One last dance 💚
Rafael Nadal will retire after playing the Final 8 in Malaga in November.#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/75FdqOBWDc
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) October 10, 2024
The end is near! 🥺
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis after November’s Davis Cup finals. #BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/MExCvnIDNC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 10, 2024
Grande Rafa. @RafaelNadal Gracias por todas las memorias ………. Gracias amigo
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) October 10, 2024
Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire
— Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) October 10, 2024
14-year-old Rafael Nadal was Spain’s flag bearer when they first won the #DavisCup title in 2000 🇪🇸
24 years later he will wear the Spanish colours to end his career 💚 pic.twitter.com/aGMcCW1j9j
— ITF (@ITFTennis) October 10, 2024
Thank you, @RafaelNadal.
22-time Grand Slam champion and five-time Laureus Award winner Rafael Nadal has called time on an incredible career.
The ultimate competitor on court, a true inspiration off it. Thank you for the memories. #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/hz8PZ05FRY
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) October 10, 2024
Everything has a beginning…@RafaelNadal | #RafaSiempre pic.twitter.com/dTaiTccHZm
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 10, 2024
Muchísimos gracias Rafa!!! 🙏🏻 Thank you for all of the incredible memories!! Forever a legend!!
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) October 10, 2024
What a career. 🎾💯
All the best in your retirement, @RafaelNadal! 💙 pic.twitter.com/bsBXwjvAym
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 10, 2024
Possessed every quality in an athlete that you want for your own kids to try & emulate
Kindness, respect, hard-working, loyal, generous, belief & a willingness to fight for every single point. A role model
An inspiration to every generation & all-time legend
Well done, Rafa 👏
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) October 10, 2024
Sabíamos que un día esto llegaría.Un orgullo haber sido parte de tu viaje,al final como entrenador pero siempre como amigo.Gracias por tanto 💔💔
— Carlos Moya (@Charlymoya) October 10, 2024
There’s nobody quite like @RafaelNadal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/USpajE6ISP
— LTA (@the_LTA) October 10, 2024
Gracias por hacernos disfrutar durante toda tu excepcional carrera, @RafaelNadal. Ha sido un privilegio seguir tu trayectoria hasta convertirte en leyenda del deporte español. Te deseamos mucha felicidad en esta nueva etapa de tu vida. pic.twitter.com/diyauPmdKd
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 10, 2024
Se retira uno de los nuestros y uno de los mayores deportistas que ha dado nuestro país.
𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗦, @RafaelNadal, por tus títulos, por tus valores y por ser la voz de nuestra última EURO.
Déjanos, porfa, gritarlo una vez más.
💪🏼 ¡¡𝗩𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗦, 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗔𝗔!!#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/k8voi8vM8L
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 10, 2024
GRACIAS, @RafaelNadal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HvfYQo2iK9
— NBASpain (@NBAspain) October 10, 2024
