Tennis lovers suffered a severe blow when, in 2022, Roger Federer played his last match as a professional. Last Thursday, Rafael Nadal announced that, after the Davis Cup finals – to be played between November 19 and 25 – he will also retire. An era comes to an end and whoever is still left of the Big 3 fighting on the circuit is Novak Djokovic the top winner of Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian is having a very good 2024, he was a finalist at Wimbledon, won Gold at the Paris Olympic Games and alternated between second and fourth place in the ATP rankings. He is currently competing in the Shanghai Masters 1000, in which he will face Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. After beating Mensik in the quarterfinals, Nole dedicated some very nice words to Rafael Nadal, who announced his retirement last Thursday.
What did Djokovic say about Nadal’s retirement?
Although he had used his social networks to express his feelings regarding the retirement of his great rival, on this occasion he did so at a press conference and left a heartfelt message, which also involved Roger Federer -retired in 2022- and Andy Murray, who left the activity a few weeks ago: “I already posted it on Instagram. He has been my biggest rival, the rivalry I have had with him. He is the one who has impacted me the most in my career, by far.”
He further added: “We knew that moment would come sooner rather than later, but it’s still a shock when it officially arrives. Also for Roger a few years ago when he announced his retirement and Andy also this year. It’s a little overwhelming for me. I don’t know what to do with it, I still enjoy competing, but a part of me went with them, a big part of me”.
“So yes, it is tough news for the world of tennis and sports. “Rafa is an inspiration to millions of children around the world, so he can be very proud of his career.”Nole concluded.
Nadal’s announcement
The Spaniard shared a video on his social networks to announce his retirement: “Hello everyone, I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that they have been difficult years, these last two really. I have not been able to play without limitations. It is a decision that is obviously difficult, it took me a while to make it, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end and I think it is the right time to put an end to what was a long career and much more successful than I thought. I could never have imagined.”
“I am very excited that my last tournament is the Davis Cup final, representing my country. I think it is closing the circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004. I feel super lucky for all the things I was able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people who make up this sport: my teammates, especially my great rivals. “I have spent many hours with them and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
“Talking about my team… it makes it more difficult for me, because in the end they were a very important part of my life. They are not workers, they are friends who were there at all times, in the good and the bad. There were times they had to tighten, other times they had to loosen. “We have lived so much together that it is difficult to explain.”
“Family is everything to me. My mother made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we could have everything. My wife, Mery, we have been together for 19 years, thank you for everything you have done, you have been my perfect travel companion. Coming home and seeing how my son is growing kept me with the energy to continue. My sister, we always had an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis, thanks to him, I was able to overcome difficult situations in my career and I also want to mention my father, who was always a source of inspiration, in every sense, he is a great example and a very special example of self-improvement.”.
“Lastly, I want to thank the fans. I have no way to thank you for how you made me feel. They gave me the energy I needed at every moment, really everything I experienced was a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my all, of having made an effort in every way. I can only finish by saying: ‘Thank you all a thousand times and see you soon.’”
