Although it was an open secret, Rafael Nadal Parera officially announced his retirement from tennis, which will become effective once Spain’s participation in the Davis Cup finals to be held in Malaga between November 19 and 24 ends. . The native of Manacor will leave an indelible legacy both in terms of titles, feats and also a seasoned playing style. which is – and will continue to be – taken as a reference for new generations.
Talking about Rafael Nadal is talking about 22 Grand Slam titles, 209 weeks as world number 1 in the ATP rankings, Davis Cup, but it is also talking about his most important rivals.which empowered him to bring out the best in himself. In the beginning it was with Roger Federer, but over the years Novak Djokovic joined and, finally against the Serbian he ended up playing a greater number of matches: there were 60 matches with 31 victories for Nole and 29 for Rafa. While with Roger the record stood at 40 games played with 24 wins for the Spaniard and 16 for the Swiss.
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Nadal, on his rivalries
In an interview with the newspaper As, Rafael Nadal detailed how he experienced his rivalries with Federer and Djokovic: “Djokovic is the player I have faced the most, but, for me, my biggest rival has been Federer. Because, when I arrived at the circuit, it was Federer who was there and he was the first. In the years in which I was at the best of my career in every way, it was Roger and Novak. But in the first ones, which are the ones that mark you in a special way, Roger was always there. I think, and I don’t know why, that my rivalry with both of them has been more intense than the one they had between them.”
Nole and Rafa in the Six Kings Slam. (Photo: IMAGO).
Furthermore, he added: “With Roger I am clear that it is because it was a very pronounced contrast in styles and ways of seeing and approaching the sport. And with Novak, of course, it has been an incredible challenge. In the end, he is a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year. The numbers say that he is the best, which is why his tennis level has also been the best and, in addition, he is the one who has managed to stay furthest from injuries.”
Rafa and Roger, together at the Laver Cup 2022. (Photo: IMAGO).
Rafa praised Sinner and Alcaraz
Nadal, Djokovic and Federer are the old litter and Rafa referred to the new one, specifically Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz: “The two of them are above everyone else. I don’t see a rival who can continually overshadow them. One day, obviously, there are many very good people. But in the medium term, There is no one who can give them real competition. as long as they do not have an injury that prevents them from being able to perform at the same level.”
