Rafael Nadal’s retirement is set to leave a huge hole in tennis, even if he has been largely absent throughout 2024.
After all, fitness issues have plagued the Spaniard for years now, yet the hope that he might return remained a comfort to most.
However, finally calling time on his legendary career offers that cutthroat closure which will leave many deeply saddened.
Even Novak Djokovic admitted a huge part of him will leave when Nadal retires.
Toni Nadal was not so emotional though.
Toni Nadal reacts to Rafael Nadal’s retirement
Speaking to MARCA, just after Toni Nadal had revealed Rafa’s worst-ever loss in his opinion, he would then move on to speak about the headline news: Rafa Nadal’s retirement.
And, despite being his uncle and long-time coach, he actually admitted to not being completely informed on the finer details of his nephew’s departure from the sport.
Toni claimed: ‘I knew the words because he had told me almost a month ago that he had made the decision to leave tennis, to end his career and to do it here in Malaga, but I didn’t know about the video.
‘He told us in a family chat, he told the family that this video would come out in a few hours and that he was announcing his retirement.
‘Well, first of all, I was excited, a little sad because although we had accepted it quite well, nostalgic memories always come back to us, but I accepted it normally.’
Toni would then reveal: ‘We have a family chat and Rafa announced on Thursday that a video announcing his retirement would be released in a few hours. The group includes the five brothers and the older nephews.
‘I’m a fairly dry guy and I wrote to him: ‘Congratulations, you’ve had a good career’. The others went on a bit more. I say things up front, which makes me less lazy.’
When will Rafael Nadal’s last match be?
It has been quite the substantial absence from competitive tennis for Rafael Nadal, which likely explains the decision to retire in the coming weeks.
After all, as noted earlier, injuries have not been kind to him. On this occasion, his last match on the ATP tour came in July, where he stormed to the final in the Swedish Open before losing to an inspired Nuno Borges.
Next came the Olympics, which was an enjoyable watch despite failing to compete, as his combination with Carlos Alcaraz offered a glimmer of the past and present of Spanish tennis.
It has now been confirmed that his final match will officially come at the Davis Cup Finals, set to take place from November 19 to November 24.
Hosted in Malaga, his Spain side will take on the Netherlands, meaning Botic van de Zandschulp could be the final opponent of his entire career.
Should they progress, one of Germany or Canada awaits to cap off a stunning career.
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