Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev. (Image: ATP Tour)
The all-time great will retire after the Davis Cup Finals.
It seems that there’s one word that best sums up Rafael Nadal as he nears the end of his iconic career – fighter. The man with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name will retire from professional tennis after this month’s Davis Cup Finals, where he’ll join the likes of Carlos Alcaraz in representing Spain.
Initially, the 38-year-old was only scheduled to play doubles for his country, but is now set to take the first singles game in their quarter-final tie with the Netherlands on Tuesday.
And ahead of his final bow, the ATP Tour have asked a host of his rivals to use three words that best describe the ‘King of Clay’.
Andy Murray, who like Nadal was considered one of the ‘big four’ of his era along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, had little hesitation in answering, even if one term was used in jest. “Competitive, Spanish, fighter,” he replied.
Notably, Daniil Medvedev echoed similar sentiments, although he too threw in a surprise. “Fighter, intensity, golf,” he said, before laughing. “I know that he loves golf, so do it this way.”
Three other players also included the term ‘fighter’ when describing the former world No.1. Andrey Rublev took a different approach, answering with “the best mentality.”
Nadal’s battling qualities on the court have become legendary. Despite the perception he didn’t have the natural ability of the likes of Federer and Djokovic, he was long described as a ‘gladiator’ by commentators, not least of all when he came back from two sets down to win his penultimate Slam at the 2022 Australian Open.
Stan Wawrinka was also one to say ‘fighter’, also describing the legend as a ‘champion’ and ‘humble’. Frances Tiafoe gave one of the most interesting analogies, saying: “Fierce, energetic, pitfall.”
Nadal’s decision to step away comes after two years of being plagued by injuries. He’s played in just two Grand Slam events since 2022, with his last major title coming earlier that year at the French Open.
And last month he posted a video statement on social media explaining his decision to walk away after his upcoming matches in Malaga. “I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” he said.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that takes me some time to make.
“But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
