Fans have reacted with overwhelming emotion to Rafael Nadal's announcement that he will retire after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. Many expressed a deep sense of loss while some fans shared personal stories about how the Spaniard's over-two decade-long career impacted their lives.
Nadal shared an emotional video, announcing that he will retire from professional tennis after representing Spain at the Davis Cup in November. In his message, he expressed gratitude to his rivals, team, family, and fans for being a part of his incredible career.
In recent years, the tennis legend has struggled with injuries that have significantly affected his game. Despite these challenges, Nadal managed to capture the Australian Open title and his record-extending 14th French Open in 2022. Since then, he has participated in fewer events, as his physical limitations have taken their toll.
On October 10, Nadal's retirement announcement did not catch fans completely off guard as many stated they saw it coming. However, it did not stop them from experiencing overwhelming emotions for the Spanish tennis icon.
Fans on Reddit expressed mixed emotions of both inevitability and shock with one stating:
"This has been a long time coming but is still gonna hurt like a mothe****ker"
"Wow. Kind of expected it but still never really can see it coming. We're really losing the people we grew up with. Rafa was the ultimate competitor. The best clay court player there ever was and ever will be," another fan wrote.
Several fans wrote that they were crying upon hearing the 22-time Grand Slam winner's latest announcement.
"Wow I did not expect to be crying at my desk in the middle of the work day. Gracias, Rafa ❤️" one fan wrote.
"Burst into tears immediately when I saw gracias a todos on Twitter cuz I knew it’s about his retirement. Tennis will never be the same without you. Bye my tennis hero," another fan wrote.
Several fans acknowledged the "end of an era" as the 39-year-old braces for retirement.
"There will never be another Rafael Nadal," one fan stated.
"And only one of the Big 3 is left standing. The end of an era is coming... What a player, so many titles and achievements it’s hard to fathom. An incredible career and a legend on court. King of Clay. Thanks for everything Rafa!" one fan wrote.
"Thanks for everything Rafa. It feels surreal not having to wait for your next game after growing up watching your tennis. You have been a constant presence in my life since I was barely a teenager, and probably the sportsman I idolized the most. So long, legend," another fan wrote.
"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially" - Rafael Nadal on recent physical limitations
During his emotional announcement, Nadal admitted that in the past few years, especially the last two, he has not been able to perform at 100%.
"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."
Since his 2022 French Open victory, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from and skipped several events, reflecting his ongoing battle with injuries. He participated in Wimbledon that year but was forced to withdraw before his semifinal match.
Since then, Nadal has played in only three Grand Slam tournaments, while skipping six, and has struggled with early exits in many of the events he did enter.
In recent press conferences and interviews, Nadal frequently addressed questions about retirement, often saying that he would announce it when the time was right. On October 10, 2024, he made it official—his final event will be the Davis Cup Finals, where Spain faces the Netherlands in the quarterfinal on November 19.
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