Rafael Nadal was thought of solely a purple clay specialist within the early years of his profession and few imagined that he may win prestigious titles on different surfaces as effectively. Regardless of the overall skepticism, the Spaniard has by no means stopped engaged on his sport till he has develop into a really robust participant on all fields.
The previous world no 1 has made tennis historical past above all due to his 14 triumphs on the French Open, a report that’s unlikely to ever be damaged, however it could be very unfair to restrict Rafa’s legacy to solely that quantity.
Rafael Nadal© Instagram Davis Cup
The legend from Manacor has additionally gained two Australian Open titles, two Wimbledon titles and 4 US Open titles, testifying to the flexibility he has acquired through the years. As if that weren’t sufficient, Nadal has additionally gained two gold medals on the Olympics (one in singles in Beijing 2008 and one in doubles in Rio 2016) and has dragged his Spain to victory within the Davis Cup a number of occasions.
His superb profession ended on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga final month, though followers had been disenchanted by a considerably unhappy farewell ceremony that fell wanting expectations. The 22-time Grand Slam champion dreamed of lifting the trophy once more, however Spain’s run ended already within the quarterfinals.
An enormous remorse
Regardless of the accidents which have haunted him for many of his profession, the Spaniard can haven’t any regrets. Nonetheless – if there’s one title that Rafa would have actually preferred to win – it’s definitely the ATP Finals. Rafa has by no means been in a position to break this curse for various causes. The Finals are performed on the floor least suited to Nadal’s sport, the indoor arduous court docket, which is why the Spaniard has repeatedly proposed shifting to the purple clay.
As well as, Rafa usually arrived not in prime situation within the final a part of the season and unable to play his greatest tennis. Regardless of all these elements, the 14-time French Open champion has twice reached the ultimate on the ATP Finals – in 2010 and 2013 respectively – shedding to his everlasting rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
Throughout a protracted interview with ‘The National’, Rafa mentioned his struggles on the ATP Finals: “I was a little bit unlucky that at the end of the season I was not in my best shape physically. A lot of time with injuries. Then I had very difficult rivals in front and I played all my career ATP Finals in indoor fast courts, on indoor hard, and at the beginning indoor carpet.”
He also added: “However nothing to complain. In case you ask me what I might have preferred to win, after all I might like to have one in all these. I had my probabilities; I used to be not in a position to convert them. That’s high-quality.”
Rafa on his future
After pondering his future for a very long time and eager about enjoying just a few tournaments in 2025 as effectively, the 22-time Grand Slam champion determined it was the correct time to begin a brand new chapter in his life.
The outcomes obtained in 2024 confirmed that it was not possible for him to return to compete for essentially the most prestigious titles and his physique continued to ship him very clear alerts. Nadal has had a number of accidents once more this yr, the final of which on the eve of the match in opposition to Nole Djokovic on the Paris Olympics. The Olympic event was one in all his fundamental objectives of the season, and the way in which it light satisfied him to say goodbye to skilled tennis on the finish of 2024.
Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Everyone seems to be questioning what Rafa will do after retirement. In the identical interview, the Spanish legend spoke about his future and legacy: “When I was a kid, I played almost every sport. Of course, during my tennis career, I had to stop. I really believe that after my career I’m going to come back, recover all these years that I was not able to do all the things that I love to do. That in some way makes me feel free and happy.”
The 14-time French Open champion also added: “I hope that my legacy is that I at all times tried to deal with others with deep respect. This was the golden rule of my mother and father. Once I was a child, my father would at all times inform me, “Inventing is hard. Copying is much easier.” He wasn’t speaking about tennis.
It was about life. Go searching you and see the individuals you admire. How they deal with individuals. What you’re keen on about them. Act like them, and you’ll most likely stay a cheerful life. I carried that lesson with me into each match I ever performed.”
