(PHOTO CREDITS: SHROPSHIRE STAR)
By: Ariel Litinski
On October 10th, 2024, tennis fans worldwide received just about the worst news imaginable. A member of the “Big 3,” 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal announced that he will retire after this year’s Davis Cup Final 8. Nadal inspired an incredible amount of tennis players around the world, and even some of the best tennis players in the world looked up to the Spaniard.
Nadal’s announcement sparked many messages of appreciation from fellow professional players who have had the pleasure of watching the lefty play tennis. Fellow “Big 3” member Novak Djokovic had some heart-warming words regarding Nadal’s retirement: “[Rafael Nadal] you have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably [the] greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, [and] fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever…Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.” Roger Federer, another member of the “Big 3,” also had some kind words for Rafa: “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honor!”
It is no lie that Nadal has had an astonishing career. Let’s take a look at some of his biggest achievements throughout his time as a professional tennis player. At thirteen years old, Rafa won Las Petit As, a large tournament for junior players aged 12-14 all around the world. Two years later, in 2002, the Spaniard took home his first ATP Tour win, at just 15 years old! Then, in 2004, Nadal defeated World No. 1 Roger Federer in their first-ever meeting! A year later, Rafael Nadal won his first-ever Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros and went on to win it 13 more times in the following years. In 2008, he won Wimbledon and the singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games. Today, Nadal has 22 major titles (Grand Slams), 92 ATP Tour titles, and $134,946,100 in prize money.
Despite all of the time Nadal has spent on the tennis court, he has made sure to save some for charity work. In 2008, Rafa founded the Rafael Nadal Foundation, a foundation with a mission to provide opportunities to play sports and educational programs for disadvantaged children. Rafa’s foundation received the Solidarity Award in the second edition of the DEX Awards, the Golden FAAM award in 2020, the Management Award at the Women Sport Gala in 2021, the Usera Solidaria Award in 2022, and most recently, the Laureus Sport for Good Award in 2024.
It is safe to say that the retirement of Rafael Nadal will be a sad day for the tennis community. It was the Spaniard’s fighting spirit, determination, and tenacity that really made him stand out from the rest. Nadal constantly teaches and reminds us that the days where you want to stay in bed and do nothing but sleep are the days where you should be working towards your goals the most. And to you, Rafa, we will forever cherish the memory of your fierce, whip-like forehands and your thunderous, triumphant roars. Thank you for everything you’ve given to the sport we hold so dear.
Scribemen Magazine 