Rafael Nadal retired from tennis after Spain were knocked out of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals by the Netherlands.
22-times a Grand Slam champion, the career of one of tennis’ greatest ever players came to a close on Tuesday at the Davis Cup.
Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in his final-ever match, as Spain’s exit to the hands of the Netherlands saw the 38-year-old hang up his racket.
Various tennis stars paid tribute to Nadal following his retirement, as the Spaniard will no doubt be missed for years to come.
Some emotional and powerful tributes via social media, but the retirement ceremony inside the stadium itself has caused quite a stir.
Carlos Moya says Rafael Nadal’s retirement ceremony was a bit ‘scruffy’
Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya, spoke to Onda Cero, giving his thoughts on the retirement ceremony that Malaga put on for the 22-time Major champion.
“It’s not the time to blame anyone,” he admitted.
“But the feeling we’re all left with is a bit scruffy and shabby.
“It’s true that it’s a Tuesday night, but this is sport, and it was known months in advance that if Spain lost, Rafa [Nadal] would retire.”
Moya believes that the legend deserved a better send-off than what he received on Tuesday night.
“Nadal is far above all this,” he said.
“It has been a farewell that has not lived up to what Rafa Nadal means to the sport.”
He wasn’t the only one to have a problem with Malaga’s tribute, as Toni Nadal has said that Nadal’s retirement ceremony was inadequate.
“I would have liked to see images of Rafa winning the Davis Cup in Seville, of Rafa at the Madrid tournament, at Roland Garros or Wimbledon, because this creates more emotion,” he said.
“I’m not trying to criticise anyone.
“I would have preferred something different, more in line with his career.
“I appreciate the gesture they had as a family member and former coach of Rafa, and the good intentions, but afterward, I would have liked something else.
“Nowadays, much more emotional events can be organized by mixing music with images, and Rafa is a person whose images convey passion and emotion.
“If they had done this, it would have been more fitting.”
Rafael Nadal joins Andy Murray and other ATP stars by retiring in 2024
Nadal’s retirement was perhaps the biggest we’ve seen since Roger Federer hung up his racket in 2022, but there were plenty of other stars who called it quits this season.
Andy Murray retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics, having won multiple Grand Slam titles, and achieving the world number one ranking during his career.
Similarly, former US Open champion Dominic Thiem retired earlier this year, having struggled badly with wrist injuries in recent times.
| Name | Grand Slam titles | ATP Titles | Career-high ranking |
| Rafael Nadal | 22 | 92 | 1 |
| Andy Murray | 3 | 46 | 1 |
| Dominic Thiem | 1 | 17 | 3 |
| Ivo Karlovic | – | 8 | 14 |
| Steve Johnson | – | 4 | 21 |
| Joao Sousa | – | 4 | 28 |
| John Millman | – | 1 | 33 |
Amongst the other notable ATP retirees were Ivo Karlovic, Steve Johnson, Joao Sousa, and John Millman, who all won titles during their time in the sport.
Big losses to the sport, and with the legendary Novak Djokovic now the last of the ‘big three’ remaining on tour, fans will try to appreciate the remaining years of the Serb’s career.
But as some end their careers, others begin theirs, and the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have surely proven in 2024, that tennis is in safe hands for years to come.
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