On Thursday, Rafael Nadal announced that he would retire from professional tennis after this year’s Davis Cup Finals in November. His emotional decision, stemming from ongoing injury challenges, marked the end of an illustrious career.
Newspapers worldwide quickly ran his photo on their front pages, and the most common headline read: “Thank you, Rafa,” honoring the Spanish icon’s immense contributions to the sport.
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
| viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
I watched Rafa play Djokovic on-line today at the Six Kings Tournament in Riyadh. Although he didn’t win, it was a close match and I want to watch as much of Rafa as I can until he finishes at the Davis Cup. I haven’t always been the biggest Djokovic fan, but I have to say that he has given a couple of lovely tributes to Rafa on social media and after their match today he told Rafa what an honour it was to play against him all these years and that all the players on the tour were really going to miss him. It was very nice – so thanks Djokovic for making a point of what a great player he has always been and how much all of us are going to miss watching him play tennis.
No more excitement about Nadal in these posts anymore. No more matches to look forward to. No more wins to celebrate. No more losses to endure. And no more injuries to report.
Dear Rafa. Watching you play tennis has given me so much joy throughout your illustrious career. You have given everything to the sport you love. Words can not express the admiration I have for you. I’ll be cheering you on loudly at the Davis Cup.
Thank you and good luck for the future, my champion. Always in my heart ❤️
Thanks for everything❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for all the thrills Rafa. Wishing you and your beautiful little family health and happiness. Hoping to see you at many ceremonies honouring your spectacular career next year.
Side note to Carlos Moya-please consider coaching Felix next year. He would benefit from your expertise.
great health
I’m so sad to see this happening..I have MANY memories of getting up at all kinds of strange hours just to watch Rafa play around the world.
I even scheduled a trip to Paris in June ’25 in case he was still competing in the French Open…
Adiós mi Amigo..Adiós.
Like a French newspaper said: the earth will stop or the world will stop. Very poetic but true. I have commented many times that it’s a godsend that we can still watch his matches from the beginning of his career,the middle and the end.That excitement, energy and outrageous tennis playing will not,and cannot ever be duplicated.
I selfishly just want to cry. Was really hoping he would keep on playing even if he’s not winning every match like Wawrinka. Tennis will never be the same. ♥️💔😭
Thankyou for being in my lifetime ♥️
Such a roll model to many xx
GRACIAS!! RAFA