Rafael Nadal called time on his glittering career at the Davis Cup Finals last month, but it certainly wasn’t a dream retirement.
Spain lost 2-1 in their quarter-final clash with the Netherlands, with Nadal losing his match to Botic van de Zandschulp.
Furthermore, Nadal’s Davis Cup farewell event was criticised, with Italy going on to lift the trophy in Malaga.
Still, Coco Gauff was left emotional by Nadal’s retirement, with the Spaniard hanging up his racket as a 22-time Grand Slam champion.
He won 92 ATP Tour-level titles during his stunning career, reaching the world number one spot in an era involving the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITFTim Henman says if Rafael Nadal made the right decision to retire
Injuries did, however, massively disrupt his latter years on the court, with Nadal playing just 20 matches this season before retiring.
Sharing his verdict on the decision to retire, former British number one Tim Henman told Eurosport: “Look, I think when you talk about retirement for any player, it’s really not straightforward to plan it.
“And with the injuries and all the different challenges that Rafa had and with the schedule, I think to be representing your country in Davis Cup in your home country is very special.
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“So I think it was a good send-off. And I hope Rafa felt comfortable with that. He’s just been an absolute icon of our sport.
“But for the Spanish people to get to see him one last time at home, I think was very, very special. From the outside looking in, I think it was the right time.
“He’s given so much to the sport. The sport takes so much out of him physically and mentally. And I just don’t know whether his body could take it any longer.
“So I think it was a good time to step down and give Rafa the time to reflect on just the incredible achievements that he’s had in this sport.”
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITFWill Rafael Nadal follow Andy Murray into coaching after his retirement?
It is hard to know if Nadal reluctantly retired or if the Spaniard knew that it was definitely the right time to leave tennis.
But one certainty is that he will miss it, having given so much of his life to the sport, much like Henman and Federer.
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Andy Murray meanwhile can certainly empathise with Nadal, having also retired this season after also dealing with injuries for several years.
Whether the Spaniard follows the Scot into coaching, however, remains to be seen, with Murray set to coach Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open.
Nadal and Murray undoubtedly still have what it takes to shine on the court, but their injuries perhaps make it simply impossible to really compete with new stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and even fellow veteran Djokovic.
TournamentBest ResultAustralian OpenW (2009, 2022)French OpenW (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)WimbledonW (2008, 2010)US OpenW (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)OlympicsW (2008)Rafael Nadal Grand Slam Achievements
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