Rafael Nadal announced in a video on Thursday that he will be retiring from professional tennis following the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain, which runs Nov. 19-21.
Nadal will retire as one of the most decorated tennis players of all time. He's won 22 major titles, with 92 total career titles. He's won over 1,000 matches, and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2008.
It's been quite the career for the Spaniard, and fellow tennis players posted congratulatory messages to Nadal on social media shortly after Nadal shared the news.
The other two players considered in the "Big Three" of men's tennis, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, wrote lengthy posts with lots of throwback pictures.
Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit… pic.twitter.com/HO9kUkyccN
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 10, 2024
Retired/retiring friends ❤️@rogerfederer @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/D0z00HtoXN
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 10, 2024
Current tennis stars, like fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, expressed their admiration for Nadal. Alcaraz has repeatedly said how he grew up with Nadal as his tennis idol. Additionally, Alcaraz and Casper Ruud both played doubles with Nadal this year.
Del niño que te veía por televisión y soñaba con llegar a ser tenista al que tuvo el inmenso regalo de jugar a tu lado en Roland Garros representando a España en unos Juegos Olímpicos! 🥲 Muchas gracias por ser ejemplo a todos los niveles, tu legado es irrepetible! ❤️ Te he… pic.twitter.com/MiX8l5Jnrh
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) October 10, 2024
Thank you @RafaelNadal for inspiring me and all of us ❤️🙏
You will be missed 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/uixuSLG0V8
We had our differences but you were one hell of a warrior. Best wishes and goodluck with whatever comes next. https://t.co/ZRHMRcSqFI
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 10, 2024
Some additional tennis legends had kind words to share about Nadal, too.
Thank you Rafa, for entertaining us and sharing your legendary career with the world.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) October 10, 2024
For your sportsmanship, your leadership, and for always showing us tennis is a sport of strength, competition, and tenacity. pic.twitter.com/a5RGJIPgZi
Rafa Nadal is one of the greatest competitors in any sport. His attitude made him such a role model. Of course his accomplishments are incredible, but the level of effort in every point, his sportsmanship and the respect he showed to the game and his opponents makes him
— James Blake (@JRBlake) October 10, 2024
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Tennis Stars Congratulate Rafael Nadal on Tremendous Career After Retirement News.
