Rafael Nadal ended his legendary profession a couple of days in the past. His final dance on the Davis Cup Finals was not as memorable as followers would have hoped, however Spain’s untimely elimination in Malaga doesn’t have an effect on the legacy of probably the greatest athletes of the trendy period.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion marked an period not solely of tennis, however of sport generally. Firstly of his profession, the Spaniard was thought of solely a specialist in purple clay who would at all times battle to be aggressive on different surfaces. Regardless of the accidents which have at all times accompanied him all through his profession, Rafa has continued to work on his recreation and has improved a lot that he has change into probably the greatest gamers on the earth even away from his beloved purple clay.
Rafael Nadal© Tenis Espana/Instagram – Honest Use
The previous world No. 1 has received the Wimbledon Championships twice, even defeating eight-time champion Roger Federer within the iconic 2008 ultimate, which many think about to be the best match of all time. The legend from Manacor additionally received two Australian Open and 4 US Open, reaching 22 Grand Slam titles. His numbers on the French Open have consecrated him as an immortal god of the game, turning him right into a supply of inspiration for all younger gamers approaching tennis.
The previous Spanish champion has received tournaments in each nook of the world and has change into one of the widespread athletes of the trendy period, thanks partly to his superb rivalry with Federer. The Swiss and the Spaniard represented the proper distinction of kinds and their matches divided the followers as by no means earlier than their arrival.
The final a part of their careers was fairly comparable. Each have struggled to play as they might have favored lately, being affected by severe accidents which have made their final dances a bit unhappy. Federer performed his final match in doubles on the 2022 Laver Cup, now not having the ability to be aggressive in singles in an official event. Rafa – alternatively – tried to play the singles on the 2024 Davis Cup Finals shedding fairly clearly to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nadal’s earnings
Many followers surprise how a lot Nadal has earned throughout his lengthy and wonderful profession. The 14-time Grand Slam champion acquired nearly $135 million in prize cash, forward of Federer and behind Djokovic.
In a current interview with ‘El Mundo’, uncle Toni mentioned Rafa’s retirement: “Rafael found it hard to retire because, for anyone, to stop doing an activity you like and have been doing for many years is hard.
Afterwards, my nephew has lived another reality: for years, he has lived with problems, with injuries that he has been able to overcome.
This time, it wasn’t like that. It didn’t happen, and when he realized it was impossible, he retired. But before that, he would have wanted to continue, of course.”
He additionally mirrored on the variations between Nadal/Federer and Nole Djokovic: “There are players whose sporting merits go beyond their specific sport like Novak Djokovic.
But there are others whose way of winning goes beyond sport.
That’s what happens with Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, because life is not just about winning, but how you win. Both have earned a higher level of respect.”
What’s subsequent for Rafa?
Though 2024 was to be his final season as an expert tennis participant, Rafa had thought of persevering with to play subsequent yr. Nevertheless, a collection of parts allowed him to know that it will not have made a lot sense to proceed his journey on the ATP tour.
The outcomes and performances in 2024 have proven that Nadal can now not be aggressive to win a very powerful titles and that the danger of recent accidents is more and more excessive. The Spaniard’s physique has been subjected to spectacular stress all through his profession and requested him a number of instances to start out a brand new chapter of his life.
Rafael Nadal© ITF YouTube video
Rafa was most likely not one of the best participant ever, however his competitiveness and willpower made him a worldwide icon and an instance for everybody. Virtually all fashionable athletes observe within the footsteps of Nadal, who performed each level as if it had been the final of his life. The legend from Manacor deserved a greater final dance in Malaga, however circumstances didn’t go his means and he needed to accept a tragic ceremony.
Followers hope that Nadal will arrange some exhibition matches along with his outdated rivals akin to Federer and Murray, however a lot will rely on their bodily form. Roger had promised that he would play some exhibitions after his retirement, however it hasn’t occurred within the final two years.
