Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova paid tribute to Rafael Nadal as he plays in the final event of his legendary career.
The 38-year-old took on Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup finals.
Ahead of his last tournament, Nike, who have been the Spaniard’s clothing manufacturer his entire career, posted tributes online and sent out tribute packs to their fellow Nike athletes.
Two of Nike’s greatest tennis players, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, used social media to share some kind words about Nadal.
What did Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova say about Rafael Nadal?
More tributes were issued in honour of Rafael Nadal on the day of his Davis Cup finals singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp.
His great rival and friend Roger Federer penned an emotional letter on Tuesday morning, and he has since been joined by Williams and Sharapova.
Williams posted a video on Instagram sporting a Nadal headband and t-shirt and wrote alongside the clip: “Congratulations on a career that most won’t dare to dream of.
“I feel so fortunate to have been able to play when you were playing and being great. You inspired me to be better, to play harder, to fight, to never give up, and to win more.
“No excuses, just play the sport. Your legacy will never die. Wow, to see your career from the beginning to today was an honour Champ! Long live Rafa!” Williams added on X: “Why am I getting so choked up with @RafaelNadal retirement. I’m not good at goodbyes.”
Sharapova took to her Instagram stories and added: “No one like you Rafael Nadal. I have so much respect for your grit, your love of the ‘fight’, and the pure class with which you showed up, even on a tough day.”
The Russian also wore the Nadal t-shirt gifted by Nike and wrote: “The only merch I would ever wear is Spice Girls and Rafa, @nike.”
Rafael Nadal loses his first Davis Cup singles match in 20 years
Nadal took on Van de Zandschulp in the opening round of the Davis Cup finals.
He had not played a professional match since the Paris Olympic Games, losing to Novak Djokovic in the second round.
Nadal’s lack of match play showed as the former World number one struggled with his movement at times, especially laterally.
Van de Zandschulp broke in the ninth game of the first set before taking the lead, and he opened up a 4-1 lead in the second set. But Nadal showed his trademark qualities and claimed one of the breaks back and reduced the deficit to 4-3.
But he was also unable to break serve again for the rest of the match and Van de Zandschulp claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win. This is Nadal’s first singles loss in the Davis Cup since he made his debut in 2004.
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