Nadal Retires
- Thread starter vokazu
- Start date
Spencer Gore
Legend
I always knew this day would come, but it doesn't make it any easier.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
This right here.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Dumb post by you lol. 2 years ago he held the Aus Open and French Open and was into the Wimbledon SF. Nobody would retire when they were that close to winning a 3rd straight slam and close to CYGS.
JoJoHackshow
Rookie
Retiring as the 3rd greatest ever... not bad, not bad at all. We'll miss you, legend.
LeftyMagic
Rookie
fitting end, playing for the country. he won davis cup in spain once before, he may do it again…
Bender
G.O.A.T.
So sad you have no words I see
Spencer Gore
Legend
Indeed. Laver, Djokovic, Nadal. A wonderful triumverate.
Vito Andolini
New User
Bender
G.O.A.T.
His absence in the last year has been helpful in getting over it to be honest. If anything I was wondering why he didn’t announce sooner.It’s really over.Hope to reach the “smiling because it happened” stage soon, because this sucks.
In a way I’m glad to see he can just enjoy playing in private without having to grind his joints to Elysium and back, and it’s not like he’s been at slam-winning level since the second half of 2022.
Incognito
Legend
I actually did. So much memories. I cried too when Fed retired, not because I was a bigger fan but because Rafa achieved what he did partly because he was chasing Fed IMO.Who's cutting onions? ❤️
jl809
Legend
Ronaldo did a Djokovic - Nadal quick pick thing recently and refused to pick lol
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
My bestie Vokazu sad
ibbi
G.O.A.T.
The man they said would be done by 25, the man they said could challenge Federer now but would probably be retired long before him, calls it a day 20 years after his real breakout season with numerous longevity records to his name:
Some (open era, some all-time) not often enough touted:
-17 years from first major to last (RG 05-RG22)
-13 years between triumphs at a major (AO09-AO22)
-10 consecutive years winning a major title (2005-2014)
-Multiple majors in 3 different decades (6/13/3)
-Majors won without dropping a set in 3 different decades (RG08/RG10&17/RG20)
-Most titles at a single tournament (14 RG)
Thanks for the memories, champ.
Some (open era, some all-time) not often enough touted:
-17 years from first major to last (RG 05-RG22)
-13 years between triumphs at a major (AO09-AO22)
-10 consecutive years winning a major title (2005-2014)
-Multiple majors in 3 different decades (6/13/3)
-Majors won without dropping a set in 3 different decades (RG08/RG10&17/RG20)
-Most titles at a single tournament (14 RG)
Thanks for the memories, champ.
albatros_forehand
Professional
Oh no…
yes, especially wimbledon 2018 semi, wimbledon 2007 final, french open 2021 semi, his wimbledons 2012-2017 and all his wtf performances, those are my favourite nadal menories.
RoddickAce
Hall of Fame
As a Fed fan, I went from rooting against Rafa (for owning peak Rog on clay), to respecting Rafa's humble personality + great work ethic, to eventually learning to appreciate and enjoy his game and the excitement he brings to our sport.
Recalling the most exciting / highest quality matches ever played, it's hard to think of a list without multiple Rafa matches, which says it all. Actually that is not all, because tennis is not just about achievements and exciting matches - Rafa will also be remembered as a role model for his character and attitude (still has not broken a single racquet!).
Seeing Rafa retire is equally as sad as seeing Roger retire for me, but Rafa has given so much to tennis that we have been lucky he has even been around for so long, especially given his list of injuries. Thank you for giving it your all Rafa, and best of luck in your last tournament!
Recalling the most exciting / highest quality matches ever played, it's hard to think of a list without multiple Rafa matches, which says it all. Actually that is not all, because tennis is not just about achievements and exciting matches - Rafa will also be remembered as a role model for his character and attitude (still has not broken a single racquet!).
Seeing Rafa retire is equally as sad as seeing Roger retire for me, but Rafa has given so much to tennis that we have been lucky he has even been around for so long, especially given his list of injuries. Thank you for giving it your all Rafa, and best of luck in your last tournament!
TheGoldenEra1990’s
Hall of Fame
Sad but what a ride that was. You’ll never see a force of nature like that again on a single surface. You’ll never see 3 GOATs competing all at once again either. Nothing that comes after will match that time from 2004-2013
messiahrobins
Legend
Effectively he retired at W2022 when he withdrew. Dont think he ever completed a match fit and pain free after that, and in 2 and a half years there may have been less than 10 matches he played anyway so this news isnt a surprise.
Rafa achieved everything there is to achieve in tennis as far back as USO 2010 and he gave us 10 extra years of his brilliance as i thought he was done after FO 2014.
Thanks Rafa, enjoy your new projects and next stage of life.
Rafa achieved everything there is to achieve in tennis as far back as USO 2010 and he gave us 10 extra years of his brilliance as i thought he was done after FO 2014.
Thanks Rafa, enjoy your new projects and next stage of life.
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
He played like 30 matches after that. But your point is completely valid. We never saw the real Rafa again after that Fritz match.
messiahrobins
Legend
He could never serve again or properly hit his BH. I think he would have retired in 2022 but for his son who i am sure he wanted to have seeing him on tour.
Its been the most wonderful 20 years for us. We now have Alcaraz although i think tennis is a dying sport now tbh for a number of reasons
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
Everybody knows that athletes retire.
onyxrose81
Hall of Fame
I honestly was not expecting it right now. This kind of threw me.
Enjoy your retirement, Rafa. Thanks for the many battles.
I can’t believe 3/4 are now gone.
Enjoy your retirement, Rafa. Thanks for the many battles.
I can’t believe 3/4 are now gone.
Mr.Lob
G.O.A.T.
Not a fan of Rafa's, I usually pulled for whoever his opponent was. But what he contributed to the game of tennis is quite remarkable. Most will remember all his victories, the slams he won, his battles with Federer and Djokovic. I'll remember what a good sportsman he was the most. He won and lost with dignity. Someone who treated other players, game officials, ball kids and even reporters, in a respectful manner. The tenacity in which he played the game, fought for every point, is also quite memorable.
Always tough to lose a tennis legend. Whether you pull for them, or against them, they always make the game a better place.
Always tough to lose a tennis legend. Whether you pull for them, or against them, they always make the game a better place.
RaulRamirez
Legend
I saw the notice in my inbox: "Rafael Nadal announces retirement" and before reading further, I was hoping and expecting he would say 2025 or 2025 RG would be his last, but it wasn't to be. It's hard for an athlete to have the perfect retirement, but given all the injuries and all the battles, this might be close to it. Especially if Spain can win the Cup, and he can have a final victorious moment.
This will be full circle for me as well. Newly married and working in a different field, I didn't watch too much tennis from about 2001-2004. I happened into the US- Spain DC final in November, 2004, in Spain, Roddick v Rafa, only I didn't really know Rafa. Just as a year or two before, I had my Federer revelation, Rafa's athleticism, shot making and sheer joy leapt off the screen. I came in rooting for Roddick; a few games later, I HAD to root for Rafa. He was that dynamic and compelling. (I'm not the most nationalistic fan.)
All these years later, through a crazy-great career, no other tennis player has given me that adrenaline rush like Rafa. And given a serve that was never
great, once the point was in play, he has to have been the greatest, with an arsenal of shots, athleticism and sheer will that was arguably the greatest in tennis history.
So Rafa, thanks for everything you gave to a sport many of us love. I wish you a final great moment with your team...Go, Spain!
This will be full circle for me as well. Newly married and working in a different field, I didn't watch too much tennis from about 2001-2004. I happened into the US- Spain DC final in November, 2004, in Spain, Roddick v Rafa, only I didn't really know Rafa. Just as a year or two before, I had my Federer revelation, Rafa's athleticism, shot making and sheer joy leapt off the screen. I came in rooting for Roddick; a few games later, I HAD to root for Rafa. He was that dynamic and compelling. (I'm not the most nationalistic fan.)
All these years later, through a crazy-great career, no other tennis player has given me that adrenaline rush like Rafa. And given a serve that was never
great, once the point was in play, he has to have been the greatest, with an arsenal of shots, athleticism and sheer will that was arguably the greatest in tennis history.
So Rafa, thanks for everything you gave to a sport many of us love. I wish you a final great moment with your team...Go, Spain!
SonicNirvana
Hall of Fame
Damn hitting me in the middle of the night with that.
SonicNirvana
Hall of Fame
We will celebrate at the Davis Cup. Last round of wings @MichaelNadal
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Legend!
Frenchy-Player
Hall of Fame
Le roi est mort vive le roi !
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
We need homemade ranch and blue cheese
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
Undoubtedly a sports legend--the second best male tennis player of the 21st century, and no one currently playing is ever going to come close to his French Open title record.
Rafa.the.Magnificent
G.O.A.T.
We were lucky beyond words to have seen him play his fabulous tennis all these years. Hats off to you, Rafael Nadal. Thanks for all the excitement you gave us, for such a long time.
NYTennisfan
Hall of Fame
I'm sad despite knowing this was coming soon. His farewell video hit me in the feels more than I thought it would.
What a legend, brought us many years of joy and pure entertainment, and now it's time to enjoy the rest of your life Rafa raising you son and living the family life. Well earned and Vamos to a legendary career.
What a legend, brought us many years of joy and pure entertainment, and now it's time to enjoy the rest of your life Rafa raising you son and living the family life. Well earned and Vamos to a legendary career.
GoatNo1
Hall of Fame
good luck rafa, you was a wise man: "I believe that numbers are numbers, and statistics are statistics.
"In that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine, and that is indisputable. This is the truth.
"The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more.
"I think that, with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history. And there is nothing to discuss about that."
"In that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine, and that is indisputable. This is the truth.
"The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more.
"I think that, with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history. And there is nothing to discuss about that."
Djokovic2011
Bionic Poster
Not really a surprise but still sad news for his fans. He's had an incredible career and I wish him and his lovely family all the best for the future.
