Non-tennis tributes to Rafael Nadal's career: Pau Gasol toasts his 'amigo,' while Rory McIlroy hails his 'hero'

The greatest tennis players of all-time weren't the only ones paying tribute to Rafael Nadal in the aftermath of the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion's final career match this week. Some of the greatest athletes in other sports also opened up on how Nadal impacted their own lives.

Two-time NBA champion, and Nadal's fellow Spaniard, Pau Gasol, delivered an emotional message to his "amigo" in a post on X, formerly Twitter, where he saluted Nadal "at this very special moment," saying he is "greatly loved."

Read more: 'Your old friend is always cheering for you': Roger Federer pens letter to retiring Rafael Nadal

"I want to thank you for everything you have made us enjoy for so many years," Gasol, who retired himself in 2021, wrote in Spanish.

"It has been a privilege to see you play, exciting us to levels we would never have imagined," Gasol added. "And on a personal level, I want to tell you how much your friendship means to me.

"Now it's time to enjoy the new chapter of life, which I'm sure will be extraordinary as well."

From the hardwood to the soccer pitch, David Beckham and Robert Lewandowski also toasted Nadal, who is one of the world's most famous soccer fans.

Beckham contributed to a video played on-court in the aftermath of Spain's defeated to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, which officially closed the book on Nadal's career. (Another famous tennis fan, skier Lindsey Vonn, commiserated with Serena Williams about getting "choked up" as they watched the scene unfold.)

England's former starring midfielder saluted Nadal not only as another athlete, but as a tennis fan, saying that retirement will leave the good friends all the time in the world to watch their beloved Real Madrid play.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, dubbed Nadal "one of the greatest athletes in all of sports," and shared some of his personal memories of their relationship.

Read more: Serena Williams lists the ways that Rafael Nadal inspired her in tribute to retiring Spaniard

"If I think about Rafael Nadal's career, it's amazing," Lewandowski said. "He won so many titles and proved so many times he's one of the best in history. When I was young and starting to watch tennis, when I saw the battles between Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic as well, for so many years ... Rafa was always there.

"When I watched him for the first time live ... I saw what kind of performer and athlete he is. When I met him for the first time, and we were talking, he's a very kind guy, very friendly. Even now, we were speaking two, three months ago the last time and I was a litle bit sad when I asked him, 'What's going on?,' how long he's going to play, and he was telling me about the problem he still has and told me that he wants to be able to play with his child, football in the garden."

He also shared his admiration for Nadal's unwavering commitment to tennis, even in the face of adversity.

"We have so many things that we put until later or outside, to be focused on what we are doing, and Rafa did this for so many years."

Another man who knows what it's like to be ranked world No. 1, golfer Rory Mcilroy, also paid tribute to Nadal by calling him his "hero."

"From watching you win your first Grand Slam in 2005 to watching you win your last in 2022, you have been a hero of mine and an inspiration to how I approach my own career," McIlroy wrote on X as he shared Nike's tribute to Nadal.

Read more: Rafael Nadal honored by Nike with stunning video projection at Place du Trocadero in Paris

"You will be so missed and tennis won’t be the same without you. Congratulations on one of the finest sporting careers of all time. See you on the course soon!"