Coco Gauff and Andy Roddick react after Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from tennis

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Rafael Nadal has drawn huge support from many inside and outside of tennis after announcing his decision to retire.

Nadal will retire after the Davis Cup Finals, having been selected to play for Spain at the event in November.

A former world number one, Nadal sits behind only Novak Djokovic for Grand Slam titles, and ahead of fellow legend Roger Federer.

Current star Djokovic tops the pile with 24 Grand Slam titles, with Nadal on 22 and Swiss icon Federer on 20.

Nadal is a 92-time tour-level champion, with the Spanish star having spent 209 weeks as the world’s number one player.

Coco Gauff and Andy Roddick react as Rafael Nadal announces retirement

The record 14-time French Open winner confirmed his decision to retire with a lengthy Instagram video, with American star Coco Gauff commenting: “You are amazing! It’s been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Rafael Nadal as the 14-time French Open winner announces retirement

Her compatriot Andy Roddick then messaged Nadal on X, with his Spanish message translated as: “Great Rafa. Thanks for all the memories… Thanks friend.”

Tennis coach Brad Gilbert, who recently split with Gauff, has also reached out to the Spaniard, writing on X: “Vamos Rafa, Rafael Nadal is everything you want in an athlete, tennis player, person, your competitive spirit and class on the courts simply off the charts, it has been absolutely awesome to watch your entire career.”

Rafael Nadal to retire as one of the greatest athletes of all time

Nadal will be sorely missed by his fellow professionals and indeed the millions of fans who have enjoyed his tennis over the years.

The Spaniard will go down in history as one of the greatest ever tennis players, and indeed one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Many tennis fans are perhaps still getting over the retirement of Federer, who decided to leave the sport in 2022.

READ MORE: David Ferrer reveals the message he sent Rafael Nadal as soon as Spain’s Davis Cup finals draw was announced

But now followers of the sport have to deal with a world without Nadal, who has enjoyed a stunning career.

His decision comes not long after Andy Murray retired from tennis, with the Scot calling it a day following the 2024 Paris Olympics.