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“He didn’t need pomp and ceremony”: Rafael Nadal’s farewell ceremony sparks comparisons with Steffi Graf’s quiet exit

Former Serena Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs likened Rafael Nadal’s personality to that of tennis legend Steffi Graf following a subdued farewell ceremony marking the Spaniard’s retirement at the recent Davis Cup Finals.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion had struggled with injuries in his final years on tour. Nadal played his last professional match against the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp, losing in straight sets.

After Rafa’s defeat, Spain’s hopes of advancing in the Davis Cup and extending the former World No. 1’s career rested on Carlos Alcaraz. Despite Alcaraz defeating Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets, the Spanish doubles team of Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers fell to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, sealing the Netherlands’ victory and Nadal’s retirement.

Following the series, a brief 10-minute farewell ceremony was held for Nadal. However, it lacked the presence of high-profile colleagues such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who participated only through pre-recorded video tributes.

The 14-time Roland Garros champion bid farewell through tears, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his fans. However, the simplicity of the ceremony drew criticism from figures like Nadal’s coach Carlos Moyá and Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer, who lamented the absence of Federer and Djokovic at the event.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
2K31J4K London, UK. 24th Sep, 2022. 23rd September 2022; O2, London England: Laver Cup international tennis tournament: Novak Djokovic of Team Europe speaks with Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer during the break in their doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News

“It’s like Steffi. It’s interesting because Steffi just dropped the mic and walked away because she was hurting,” commented Rennae Stubbs on her podcast. “Her body was hurting, her knee was hurting, her foot was hurting, her back was hurting. She was in love. She’d just met Andre, and they were dating, but she was different so she just stopped.'”

“She just walked away, but she’s very different to these personalities. She didn’t love the spotlight, she just loved playing. I think Rafa is more similar to Steffi than Roger or Novak or Andy,” she added.

“Even the way he retired, just the whole circumstances around it, it was more about playing at home, being with his family, there was no other players there. There was just his teammates and it was kind of low-key and it was kind of like for Rafa that was enough.”

“For Steffi it was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t need all that pomp and ceremony.’ The first thing I said to her when she told me she was retiring, I was like,’Wait what? The US Open is in like three weeks. Why don’t you do it there?’ And she’s like, ‘Nah, I’m good.'”

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has revealed Rafael Nadal is the one person he would choose to play a match for his life as he declared the Spanish legend played “like nobody else.”

Nadal brought the curtain down on his incredible 23-year career after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last month.

The 38-year-old Mallorcan was beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp in his last-ever match as Spain lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the team event.

The former world No 1 won his 14th Roland Garros crown, 22nd Grand Slam and 92nd and final career title at the 2022 French Open.

Following Nadal’s farewell, Cash hailed the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s unique game and the way he continuously improved.

“Nadal has brought something to the game of tennis that we’ve never seen before. I always say that he’s a he’s a turbo charged Guillermo Vilas,” the Australian said in an interview with Tennis Majors.

“Vilas came out hit more top spin than anybody’s seen. He was fitter than anybody had seen. He just used to run, run non stop. He used to train like crazy. You know, he’s obviously a turbo charged version of that. But we’ve never really seen anybody play like Nadal, though.

“I mean, he had modern rackets. He had his follow through on his forehand. It was unusual. Just had so much top spin. And the competitiveness.

Rafael Nadal

“He’s very, very special. I’ve always said that if I had one person to play for my life, one match somewhere, it would be Nadal. Because if an alien came down from outer space and said, ‘OK, I know how to play tennis. I’ll beat [anyone], give me your best’, you’d throw Nadal out there. Go on, handle his slice serve, try to handle this top spin.

“He just plays like nobody else. His competitiveness, ferociousness. Every season was interesting because you’d watch him, you’d go, ‘what’s he changed now? What’s he improved now?’

“He just kept doing that. He kept changing his serve, getting it better. Kept doing different tactics, doing this, this and that.

“Top players tend to do that. You go, either improve, or you stand still, as they say, and he was great at that.”

Rafael Nadal did not get the career end he deserved, says Mark Petchy, but he thinks it’s a matter of time before a new send-off comes the Spaniard’s way.

Nadal officially retired at the Davis Cup Finals this year while representing Spain. It was a relatively meek end for a career that scaled such incredible heights, and it came after a bleak last couple of years with injuries.

The 22-time Major winner battled foot, hip, and abdominal injuries for the final two years of his career and was never able to string enough matches together to make anything like an effective comeback.

Such a glorious career definitely deserved a more storied end, but Petchy says that’s just the nature of sports.

“Unfortunately, these are not Hollywood scripts,” Petchy told Betway. “At the end of the day, they’re real-life stories.

“The ending wasn’t quite what everyone who witnessed his triumphs would have wanted but I genuinely believe that they’ll be another send-off that will magnify just how great he’s been.

“I would imagine they’ll be another rapid tribute that will feel more meaningful to all of us in terms of what he has done to our lives, not just to tennis, but to everybody’s lives. It has been phenomenal to watch somebody that changed the game.”
Rafael Nadal

Nadal will now ponder his next move, something he appears to be doing largely from the golf course in his native Mallorca.

He has been tipped to follow Andy Murray into coaching, but for now he is happy to just sit back and appreciate all he has achieved.

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” he said ahead of his final match in October. “I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.

“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.

Iga Swiatek confirms whether she will be in attendance when Rafael Nadal retires at the Davis Cup

Tennis players both past and present want to attend the Davis Cup finals to see Rafael Nadal’s last match.

The 22-time Grand Slam is set to bring an end to a remarkable career spanning over two decades.

Nadal has chosen to play his last tournament on home soil and be surrounded by his competitors at a tournament he has won five times in the past.

It is now the hottest tennis ticket in town and thousands want to pay tribute to one of the all-time greats, but will French Open winner Iga Swiatek, one of his biggest fans, be in attendance?

Will Iga Swiatek be at the Davis Cup finals for Rafael Nadal’s farewell?

Rafael Nadal

It is well documented how influential Rafael Nadal has been on Swiatek and her career.

She has praised him on numerous occasions and like many is saddened to hear that the 38-year-old will be retiring soon.

The likes of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have expressed their desire to be in Malaga to pay tribute to Nadal when he retires, but Swiatek will not be attending.

“I have my vacation scheduled. It’s hard to pick that. It will be impossible to get there anyway as I heard it’s all booked already and the ticket sales are crazy,” the Pole said during her WTA Finals press conference.

“Maybe I will watch it on TV, but I already had a chance to text with Rafa a bit and thank him for everything he’s done. I will be following him anyway, no matter if he’s still playing or not.”

Iga Swiatek posted video tribute to Rafael Nadal after he announced his retirement

Tributes poured in for Nadal after he released a video on social media announcing his retirement.

Swiatek shared a video message online, thanking Nadal for his contributions to tennis and inspiring her.

“You were and still are the biggest inspiration that I ever had in tennis and the reason why sometimes I got extra motivated and kept pushing myself,” she said.

“Thank you for that and thank you for being such an amazing person off the court as well. Your humility is something that is not so often [seen] when you see other athletes succeeding.

“You’re the one that always stayed honest with himself and true to himself. Thank you for being a really good person.”

Ferrer optimistic about Nadal: “My idea after talking to him is that he is ready to play”

The Davis Cup Finals will take place from November 19 to 24, 2024 in Malaga, Spain

We have entered the month of November, the month when Rafael Nadal will play the last competition of his career, the Davis Cup, in front of his home crowd in Malaga. Spain will face off against the Netherlands on November 19 in the quarter-finals and the main question remains whether Nadal will line up in singles. For Spanish team captain David Ferrer, who gave an interview to the Spanish daily Marca, it is a possibility, even if his compatriot has not played singles in official competition since the Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m the captain and I’m the one who has to decide. I have a lot of confidence in Rafa because I’ve lived with him all my career and I know his honesty if he sees himself capable of competing or not. My idea after talking to him is that he’s ready to play.”

“I spoke with Rafa on Wednesday, I am also in constant contact with his coach Carlos Moya and his agent Carlos Costa. They update me very regularly. I’ll decide in Malaga, when I see how he trains. But the same will happen with the rest of the players. If Nadal trains at a good level and is in good physical shape, that’s an alternative, of course.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Ferrer sees Nadal as future Davis Cup captain

David Ferrer has the advantage of knowing Rafael Nadal very well. The two men have faced each other 32 times on the ATP Tour (26-6 for the Mallorcan) and have shared victorious Davis Cup weekends for many years. The captain of the Spanish team wants Nadal to leave the professional circuit through the front door, lifting a fifth silver bowl.

“I would be very satisfied if he finished happy and playing well. Does it mean to win? Well yes, the ideal would be a victory, but not for me but for everything he has achieved. The problem is that it’s something you can’t control. What happens in Malaga will not change his life or career. But on a personal level, I would like him to leave tennis with good memories.”

Casper Ruud has admitted he does not understand how the domination and longevity of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is possible. 

The three-time Grand Slam finalist also conveyed particular disbelief at the way Nadal “never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years.”

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have won an astonishing 66 Grand Slam titles between them, having secured 24, 22 and 20 respectively. The trio make up the top three for the most men’s majors won in the history of tennis.

From Federer’s first Grand Slam triumph at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships to Djokovic’s most recent at the 2023 US Open, the Big Three won all but 15 of the 81 majors held.

Federer called time on his career in 2022, while Nadal is set to retire following the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, leaving Djokovic as the only remaining Big Three member.

Speaking on an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Ruud expressed the awe with which he regards Nadal, Djokovic and Federer.

“Rafa’s always like — doesn’t swear on court,” the world No 7 said. “He never threw a racket. He never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years which for me is just like… how is it possible?

“I’ve understood how crazy it is from Rafa, Roger, and Novak, that they performed every single year for like 17, 18 years. They’ve been so good.

Rafael Nadal

“How have they been able to keep the motivation up? How they’ve been able to be strict with themselves? How have they been able to win like 70 matches every year? Year in, year out.

“I just don’t understand how it’s possible. It’s one thing to do it three, four, or five years. But for them it’s been almost 20 years of pure domination.”

Ruud lost his only career meeting with Federer, while he holds an 0-2 record against Nadal and a 1-5 record against Djokovic — who he defeated in the pair’s most recent encounter at this year’s Monte Carlo Masters.

Two of the 25-year-old Norwegian’s three losses in Grand Slam championship matches came to Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Ruud will face Jordan Thompson in his opening match at the Paris Masters this week.

The final ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the 2024 season is currently underway in Paris! Two in-form young guns, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have already tightened up their seatbelts for yet another scintillating show. But what about Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic? Well, Paris has been a happy hunting ground for Nadal, but his most remarkable performances have come on the clay courts. Whereas the 37-year-old, who is the defending champion, holds the record for most Masters titles (40) in Paris. But both these high-profile players have chosen to not participate in the tournament. Reason?

Novak Djokovic is the most high-profile player to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Masters. He has won this tournament seven times in his career and this is the first time he’ll miss this event since 2020. In a social media post dated October 23, Novak Djokovic said, “Unfortunately, I won’t be playing the Paris Masters this year. I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there,” without specifying a reason for his absence. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will lead the field at this year’s tournament in Djokovic’s absence.

Djokovic is still in the race to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin next month. He’s currently placed at the sixth spot in the Live ATP Race rankings. As things stand, Djokovic could also opt to call it quits for 2024 and look forward to winning his 25th Grand Slam title in at the AO next year. For the first time since 2017, the Serb will end the season without a Grand Slam title. However, he did have some fond memories of Paris at the Olympics this year! Is it really the end of Djokovic’s season?According to John McEnroe, “I can see him (Novak) going either way. He has an unreal record in that event [ATP Finals]. My gut is he does not play rest of year.”

On the other hand, Recently, Cedric Pioline, director of the Paris Masters, contacted Rafa to offer a wildcard, but he revealed that Nadal is currently focusing on his farewell at the Davis Cup. This will be his third absence from a major tournament this year, following the French Open and the Olympics. Well, Rafael Nadal has already announced his retirement and stated that the Davis Cup in November will be the last tournament in his illustrious career. According to Cedric Pioline,

I asked if there was any interest, but the answer was very clear: he has decided to play the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga as his last event and he will not play an official tournament until then.” Nadal has played in this tournament nine times in his career, but has managed to progress beyond the quarter-finals just once! Moreover, he missed the Paris Masters for 11 out of 20 times, and in his nine appearances.

Talking about events, if we take a look at the upcoming events, Novak Djokovic has already given a hint about his next goal. Is he hungry to bring home his 25th major title? “I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis, play tennis. Those are some of the reasons why I still keep on going,” said Djokovic. So, Djokovic is not stopping any sooner, but what’s his next mission?

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
2K31J4K London, UK. 24th Sep, 2022. 23rd September 2022; O2, London England: Laver Cup international tennis tournament: Novak Djokovic of Team Europe speaks with Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer during the break in their doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News

Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They are ‘the’ most important historical tennis events that we have. So if you don’t get pumped and inspired to play your best tennis at Grand Slams, it’s hard to do that anywhere else,” he added. Perhaps this is the answer to all our queries on Djokovic’s upcoming goals! What about Rafael Nadal? What is the 38-year-old Spanish star expecting from his farewell tournament in Malaga?

“I don’t believe in fairy tale endings” – Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal’s 23-year-long career was not just about tennis! It showed us how resilience can overcome all the hurdles in our lives. It inspired several youngsters to take up this racquet sport seriously and build a career in tennis. The moment he steps onto the court in Malaga to take part in the Davis Cup, he’ll perhaps be getting a flashback of each of his memories right from becoming a pro player in 2001 to hanging up his racquet at this iconic team event. What a moment it’d be for him and his family! Reflecting on his expectations from the Davis Cup during an interview with AS, Rafael Nadal said,

For a while now, I haven’t expected much from my final matches because you start to understand how difficult everything becomes. I don’t believe in fairy tale endings. Almost no one gets them, because in sports, it’s hard to finish on top unless you’re completely healthy and can win but just don’t enjoy it anymore.” With Roger Federer already hanging up his racquet in 2022, Nadal also announcing his departure at the end of this season, can Novak Djokovic carry forward the legacy of the ‘Big Three’ for a few more seasons? According to Rafa,

As for Djokovic, I’m not sure. It’s human nature that, even if Novak stays healthy, he’s getting older, and at some point, the clock catches up with everyone. At some point, I think Novak will also experience a dip in motivation and step aside. It happens to everyone. Novak is good enough that if he stays healthy, he can still compete at the highest level and aim for the biggest titles. If he keeps enjoying it, he’ll keep going.” Do you think Novak Djokovic will make a strong comeback by winning a major title in the 2025 season?

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in their final meeting at the Six Kings Slam.

A long and historic rivalry that spanned almost two decades reached its conclusion on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the Third Place Match at the Six Kings Slam: 6-2, 7-6.

Djokovic looked sharp in the first set, while Nadal was struggling to land some of his most powerful shots. The second set was far more competitive, with Nadal pushing it to a tiebreak. For a brief moment, it felt like the good old days of the rivalry.

Eventually, the 22-time Grand Slam champion netted his return to end the match. Despite coming up short, Nadal gave fans plenty to cheer about with some of his patented moves and fiery celebrations electrifying the capacity crowd.

After the match, Djokovic said, “The rivalry has been incredible. It’s been very intense. I hope we will have a chance to sit on the beach somewhere and have a drink reflecting on life and talking about something else.”

Djokovic lavished Nadal with praise for his historic career before ending his remarks with one final request, “Don’t leave tennis, man. Stay a little more. Stay with us.”

Nadal was honored with a video tribute and a golden racquet before he addressed the fans. After thanking the crowd and tournament organizers, Nadal turned his focus to Djokovic. “I want to say a few words for Novak and his team. Thank you. For everything. What you said today and all the moments we shared on court.”

Nadal continued, “It’s been an amazing rivalry. In a personal way, you helped me go over my limits during almost 15 years. Without that, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. Congratulations for all the titles and amazing career to you and your team. I wish you all the best of luck for the future.”

When asked what he would miss most, Nadal said, “I’m going to miss almost everything. It’s been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years. Having the chance to play in the best places in the world. It’s something I watched on tv as a kid. At the end I realized my dream to become a pro tennis player and be a successful one.”

Rafael Nadal

After reiterating his gratitude, Nadal provided a optimistic message for the future of the sport, “We have a great tour and a lot of great people running the sport. I feel very fortunate. I want to thank everyone.”

Of course, the Six Kings Slam is an exhibition tournament and does not count in the ATP record books. But it did provide tennis fans with one final glimpse of a rivalry they may never see again.

Djokovic and Nadal have faced each other 60 times, with Djokovic winning 31 of the matches (not counting today). The two contemporaries had met in all four Grand Slam finals, with Nadal holding a narrow 5-4 lead in major finals.

Before today, the last time they met, Djokovic defeated Nadal in the 2024 Paris Olympics on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Today’s friendly match was more ceremonial than competitive, but it was a fitting end to the “Big Three” era.

Nadal’s career is not quite over, as he plans to retire after the Davis Cup. Meanwhile, Djokovic continues to focus on Grand Slams and ignore the ATP rankings at this point in his career.

Immediately following today’s thrilling conclusion of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is a battle between the future faces of the sport. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz face off in the finals of the Six Kings Slam.

Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated’s Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

Two of the “Big Three” will be retired from tennis after the Spaniard steps away next month.

As Rafael Nadal prepares to retire from professional tennis next month, the Spaniard has been asked many times to reflect on the rivalries he’s shared with the other two members of the “Big Three”—Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

In a recent interview with DAZN Sport, the 22-time major champion was asked to push the conversation further and compare the rivalries between him, Federer and Djokovic to the new rivalries being made between young players in tennis—like the battles between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy.

Nadal admitted a rivalry may be blooming between the World No. 1 and 2, but he doesn’t want to compare his rivalries to theirs quite yet. He thinks the 21-year-old and 23-year-old should have a chance to prove themselves throughout their careers, and then the tennis world can declare comparisons between the eras of rivalries.

Rafael Nadal

“We need to wait, but of course. This year already two grand slams for each. Number one and number two in the world. They’re creating their own story,” Nadal said of Sinner and Alcaraz. “I think it’s not a moment to compare eras. Because Novak is still there. Roger and myself left… but that’s part of the sports career of everyone. Now it’s a new generation coming. We need to let them create their own rivalries and their own story. They don’t need the comparisons with us. Let’s see at the end of their careers, then will be the moment to compare what they did and what we did.”

Nadal’s been a big influence on fellow Spaniard Alcaraz’s career in particular. The duo even competed in doubles during this year’s Paris Olympics. Alcaraz appeared pretty emotional after the announcement on Nadal’s retirement, too.

But, like Nadal said, Alcaraz has been making his own history on the tennis court. At this year’s French Open, he became the youngest male player to reach a major final on all three surfaces. He won both the French Open and Wimbledon this year to total four career majors so far.

Sinner captured the other two major titles of the year at the Australian Open and U.S. Open.

As Rafael Nadal’s illustrious tennis career comes to an end in November, he has been reflecting on his 20-plus year career.

When asked by Spanish magazine AS who his toughest rival has been, he wavered between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, which are the other two players included in the “Big Three.”

However, Nadal seemed to settle on Djokovic being a tough competitor because of his ability to stay healthy and remain on top of the competition in nearly every year of his career. And, of course, Djokovic holds the Open Era record of 24 major titles, surpassing Nadal’s 22.

“In the end, he is a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year,” Nadal said, via English translation. “The numbers say that he is the best, so his tennis level has also been the best and, in addition, he is the one who has managed to stay the furthest away from injuries.

Rafael Nadal

“When you have no limitations or major injuries that last for a long time, it not only affects you physically and gives you options to win, but it also generates a lack of fear on a mental level, neither of getting injured, nor of slipping when you reach a ball on a hard court. Djokovic runs on a hard court and slides here, slides there, just like Carlos does today. Because they are not afraid to do it yet and they can.

“I did it at the beginning of my career, but of course, when things happen, you just can’t do it, so these are limitations that appear along the way and you have to look for shortcuts to continue being competitive in other ways. That has allowed Novak to maintain his physical, tennis and mental level for longer. It is not an excuse, thanks to that he is the best and he has really earned it.”

It’s safe to say that Nadal highly respects his longtime rival Djokovic. Their competition is seemingly over after Djokovic beat Nadal 6–2, 7–6(5) in the Six Kings Slam on Saturday.

Nadal is set to retire after the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain from Nov. 19-21.