Aryna Sabalenka expressed how she reacted to Rafael Nadal’s retirement video.
The 38-year-old dropped a bombshell on Thursday morning when he released a video on social media announcing his career will soon come to an end.
Nadal will represent Spain in November’s Davis Cup finals in front of his home crowd, before hanging up his racket.
Plenty of tennis players both past and present have paid tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, including the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion.
What did Aryna Sabalenka say about Rafael Nadal’s retirement?
Rafael Nadal’s video appeared on social media during the Wuhan Open and Shanghai Masters. Therefore some players were either on court or were due to play when the announcement was made.
Aryna Sabalenka did not see the video until before her 6-2, 6-2 victory over Magdalena Fręch in the Wuhan quarter-finals, and like many of those who watched it, she was very emotional.
While talking to reporters, Sabalenka said about Nadal: “I watched his retirement video before my match, it was very emotional. I didn’t cry but I had tears in my eyes.
“It is incredible what he achieved in the sport, he is an inspiration for all of us and for the next generation, for all current players. He is a legend, but everything has a beginning and an end, we will all reach that moment.
“I am very happy for all he was able to achieve, he is a hard worker, he had a lot of love for the sport, something that people enjoy watching. I wish him all the best in his next chapter, he is an amazing person.”
Iga Swiatek reacts to Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement
Another player who paid tribute to Nadal is Iga Swiatek, who has made no secret of her admiration for the Spaniard.
The World number one shared a video on Instagram with a touching message to the player who has inspired her more than any other.
“I just wanted to speak about my appreciation and what your career meant to me, because you are the biggest inspiration I ever had in tennis, and the reason why sometimes I got extra motivated – I kept pushing myself,” Swiatek 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, when you see other athletes succeeding.
“You’re the one who’s always honest to himself, so thank you for being a really good person, and I hope you’re going to enjoy the other part of your life.
“Hopefully you’ll have some other career because the sky’s the limit for you now and I really hope you’re going to spend a lot of time with your close ones and your family.”
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