Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis on Thursday, bringing an end to a remarkable career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles. The Spaniard shared the news with his fans on social media, expressing gratitude for their support. Since then, many current and former players have taken to social media to congratulate Nadal on his retirement.
A viral video captures the moment when Carlos Alcaraz and his team watch Nadal’s retirement announcement on a cellphone. The group appeared emotional, reflecting on Nadal’s legendary status. Alcaraz revealed that Nadal’s decision came as a surprise: “Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. It didn’t affect me before the match. I stayed focused and didn’t let the news distract me. But once I watched it, it was tough to accept. I was in shock. Thankfully, I saw it about an hour before the match, so I had time to process it and move on before playing.”
He continued, “It’s really difficult news for everyone, especially for me. He’s been my idol since I started playing tennis, someone I’ve always looked up to. I owe a lot to him; he inspired me to become a professional tennis player. Losing him in the sport is going to be tough, but I’ll make sure to enjoy every moment when he plays.”
Nadal’s final tournament will be the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this November, where Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. This will be his first appearance since the Paris Olympics, marking the end of an extraordinary career.
