Rafael Nadal has finally relayed the message that no tennis fan wanted to hear after confirming his retirement.
Roger Federer has reached out to Nadal after his decision to retire from the sport at the end of the current season.
The Davis Cup Finals will be Nadal’s last event, with the Spanish star set to line out alongside Carlos Alcaraz next month.
Nadal will play on home soil in Malaga, with Spain hoping to make it past the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
The former world number one, who spent 209 weeks in the ATP top spot, has been heavily impacted by injury in recent times.
Roland Garros and Wimbledon react as Rafael Nadal confirms retirement date
And that has played a central role in the 38-year-old’s decision to retire, with Nadal currently 158th in the rankings.
Unsurprisingly, the tributes have been pouring in for the 22-time Grand Slam champion following his retirement announcement.
Leading the way on X is Roland Garros after Nadal’s record 14 French Open wins, writing: “14 thanks for the millions of memories.”
Wimbledon also took to X to celebrate Nadal, writing: “Forever a champion,” with the ATP Tour noting: “Gracias Rafa.”
British number one Katie Boulter also shared her thoughts, writing on X: “Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire,” while former player Mark Petchey wrote: “Rafael Nadal changed the game. Only an elite few do. But one thing he never changed was who he was. The greatest clay courter who ever lived.”
King of Clay Rafael Nadal will be sorely missed by tennis world
The King of Clay has dominated the French Open, but Nadal also enjoyed plenty of success in the other Grand Slams.
The Spanish legend will retire with four US Open titles, as well as two Wimbledon titles and two Australian Open titles.
Having turned professional in 2021, Nadal has gone on to become one of the greatest tennis players and sportspeople of all time.
READ MORE: What Rafael Nadal told Spain captain David Ferrer about playing at the Davis Cup
It will, of course, mean only one of the so-called ‘Big Three’ will remain active, with Novak Djokovic still going strong at 37.
Roger Federer meanwhile retired in 2022, with his final game having come in a doubles match with Nadal at the Laver Cup in London.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
