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Social Reaction: Rafael Nadal’s peers and rivals 'reject' his application to retire
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Social Reaction: Rafael Nadal’s peers and rivals 'reject' his application to retire
As the tennis world wakes up to the news of the 22-time Grand Slam winner's impending retirement, here's what Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and more had to say.
Published Oct 10, 2024
Say it ain't so, Rafa!
With a single video message shared to social media, Rafael Nadal broke the hearts of tennis fans the world over as the 22-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the season.
"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make," the 38-year-old said in Spanish. "But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined."
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"What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come," wrote 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, Nadal's long time rival and great friend, in the comment section of the Spaniard's Instagram post.
"Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honor!"
Read More: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic pay tribute to retiring Nadal: “Your legacy will live forever”
Coco Gauff also took to the comments to tell Nadal, "You are amazing! It’s been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter."
"RAFA Forever!! Thank you for everything legend," wrote Casper Ruud, while Matteo Berrettini simply shared, "LEYENDA (LEGEND)."
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Novak Djokovic praised Nadal in a lengthy and moving social media post of his own, highlighting the Spaniard's role in the "rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player."
"Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport... Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades," he wrote on Instagram. "Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become icon of tennis and sport in general."
Carlos Moya, Nadal's countryman and rival-turned-coach, said he was "proud to have been a part of your journey, in the end as your coach but always as your friend."
Sabíamos que un día esto llegaría.Un orgullo haber sido parte de tu viaje,al final como entrenador pero siempre como amigo.Gracias por tanto 💔💔 https://t.co/5b9Fwpnxax
— Carlos Moya (@Charlymoya) October 10, 2024
Four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal's heir apparent in Spanish tennis, shared a pair of then-and-now photos:
"From the kid who watched you on TV and dreamed of being a tennis player, to the one who had the immense pleasure of competing by your side at Roland Garros while representing Spain at the Olympic Games... Thank you very much for being an example at every level, your legacy will never be matched."
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"A true legend of the game who paved the way and taught so many of us how to be as a player and as a person," wrote ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, as he shared photos from their practice sessions. "You will be missed on the tour!"
Meanwhile, Sinner's coach Darren Cahill said Nadal "possessed every quality in an athlete that you want for your own kids to try and emulate."
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Possessed every quality in an athlete that you want for your own kids to try & emulate
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) October 10, 2024
Kindness, respect, hard-working, loyal, generous, belief & a willingness to fight for every single point. A role model
An inspiration to every generation & all-time legend
Well done, Rafa 👏 https://t.co/rIZCXwBNdn
As the rest of the tennis world woke up to the news, Rafa's fans weren't the only ones taking to social media on Thursday to ask him to reconsider.
"Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire," wrote Great Britain's Katie Boulter, while former world No. 13 Nick Kyrgios said: "Rafa don't retire I wanna play you (one) last time."
Rafa don’t retire I wanna play you 1 last time
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 10, 2024
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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
Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire https://t.co/QuDOfuZ65I
— Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) October 10, 2024
Reigning Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek called the 14-time Coupe des Mousquetaires winner "the biggest inspiration that I ever had in tennis" in a video message.
"You were, and still are, the biggest inspiration that I ever had in tennis. The reason I sometimes got extra motivated, I kept pushing myself... So thank you for that and for being an amazing person."
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Former world No. 2 Ons Jabeur also thanked Nadal "for inspiring me and all of us" over the years:
Thank you @RafaelNadal for inspiring me and all of us ❤️🙏
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) October 10, 2024
You will be missed 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/uixuSLG0V8
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"Congrats @RafaelNadal for an amazing career and setting a great example of what it means to be a tennis player. I have learned so much from you! A legend on and off the court!" wrote France's Caroline Garcia, while her countryman Lucas Pouille perfectly summed up the mood of French tennis fans: "Rafa and (Richard Gasquet) on the same day is too much."
Read More: Richard Gasquet to retire from professional tennis at Roland Garros
Congrats @RafaelNadal for an amazing career and setting a great example of what it means to be a tennis player. I have learned so much from you! A legend on and off the court! Good luck on your next chapter!
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) October 10, 2024
(Taking a trip down memory lane, @ChinaOpen 2017 😍) pic.twitter.com/rF1KwijcbR
Rafa et Richie le même jour c’est trop 😞
— Lucas Pouille (@la_pouille) October 10, 2024
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Check even more social posts below, as current and former players and legends proccess the news of Nadal's retirement:
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
Another tough one. Retirement is inevitable but I’m going to miss watching this bloke fighting for every point like no other. A truly remarkable human, best wishes @RafaelNadal 🚀 pic.twitter.com/nR9ddVnnvV
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) October 10, 2024
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Thank you @RafaelNadal for the stellar years of lifting tennis up to the warrior level, for your unmatched sportsmanship and humility, for never changing as a person despite all your success. There will be a gaping hole in tennis now because there has never been anyone like…
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) October 10, 2024
Grande Rafa. @RafaelNadal Gracias para todas las memorias ………. Gracias amigo
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) October 10, 2024
Thank you @RafaelNadal !! Such a joy to watch your talent, attitude and mental toughness over the years! You are an inspiration, a champion and a legend. Tennis is lucky to have you. 🙏🏆💙
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) October 10, 2024
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Thank you @RafaelNadal !! You gave us everything on the tennis court and humility and class off of it. I will forever be grateful to have been in your presence. Enjoy the next!❤️ pic.twitter.com/S6QYX8ZfBp
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) October 10, 2024
Nadie quería que llegara este momento..
— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) October 10, 2024
Gracias @RafaelNadal 🫶 pic.twitter.com/RMjy0gdREA
Cuánto se te va a extrañar 🥹. Fue un gran privilegio ver tu increíble carrera, gracias por ser una enorme fuente de inspiración, por transmitir esa entrega, pasión y compromiso.
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) October 10, 2024
A disfrutar el próximo camino
Gracias @RafaelNadal 🙌🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/uGNHyvLVym
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Rafa,
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) October 11, 2024
Our battles were passionate, colourful, iconic. They resembled you.
It has been one of the great honours of my life to share the court with you, both as an opponent and as a teammate.
Enjoy your next chapter, amigo. Vamos Rafa, para siempre.
PS: Any finger, you cross 😉 pic.twitter.com/5GNw4gs1gx
Tennis hero and inspiration. Wishing you all the best for the future! 🙌 @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/Zi5QnyFPQ9
— Hubert Hurkacz (@HubertHurkacz) October 10, 2024
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What shall we say about Rafa !
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) October 10, 2024
The man came full circle and won absolutely everything in tennis 🎾 with his own unique style !
Commitment, determination and the ability to go always one more step further made the difference….
We salute/ honour the man from Mallorca!
Vamos Rafa