The tennis world was quick to pay tribute to Rafael Nadal following the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s retirement announcement on Thursday morning.
Here are some of the social media posts:
Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit… pic.twitter.com/HO9kUkyccN
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 10, 2024
Federer's message to Nadal after his retirement announcement ❤️
— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 10, 2024
We weren't ready for this 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XuG2fVf0Sf
Thank you Rafa, for entertaining us and sharing your legendary career with the world.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) October 10, 2024
For your sportsmanship, your leadership, and for always showing us tennis is a sport of strength, competition, and tenacity. pic.twitter.com/a5RGJIPgZi
Thank you @RafaelNadal for everything you have given to the sport. To have the chance to spend a few weeks training with you a few years ago is something I’ll never forget. To watch you work as an athlete but also get to know you as a person off the court was even more special.… pic.twitter.com/Obyrk5V5mh
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) October 10, 2024
Possessed every quality in an athlete that you want for your own kids to try & emulate
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) October 10, 2024
Kindness, respect, hard-working, loyal, generous, belief & a willingness to fight for every single point. A role model
An inspiration to every generation & all-time legend
Well done, Rafa 👏 https://t.co/rIZCXwBNdn
Thank you, @RafaelNadal, for being an incredible role model and outstanding player. You are true legend and one of the greatest athlete of all time.
— Jakub Mensik (@mensik_jakub_) October 10, 2024
Enjoy the next chapter of your life, you truly deserve it! You will be big inspiration forever and to all of us. ❤️
Big CHAMPION, nicest guy, toughest fighter.
— Alex Dolgopolov (@TheDolgo) October 10, 2024
Enjoy the future🤝@RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/d8s4fJXLFM
Congrats @RafaelNadal for an amazing career and setting a great example of what it means to be a tennis player. I have learned so much from you! A legend on and off the court! Good luck on your next chapter!
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) October 10, 2024
(Taking a trip down memory lane, @ChinaOpen 2017 😍) pic.twitter.com/rF1KwijcbR
One of the most special athletes that we have ever seen. Thank you for being an ambassador for the sport we love. It was an honor to share the court with you. Enjoy retirement. Catch plenty of fish and hit those drives straight. @RafaelNadal
— James Blake (@JRBlake) October 10, 2024
If you need me I’ll be watching Rafa tribute videos for the next 5 hours
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) October 10, 2024
What shall we say about Rafa !
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) October 10, 2024
The man came full circle and won absolutely everything in tennis 🎾 with his own unique style !
Commitment, determination and the ability to go always one more step further made the difference….
We salute/ honour the man from Mallorca!
Vamos Rafa
No words! This man has given us all so much joy thru the years. He’s the epitome of what an athlete should be. Hard working, classy, joyful & kind. He was always kind & welcoming to me. I truly love this man & will miss watching him play, THANK YOU Rafa. https://t.co/oSZhUpgPUv
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) October 10, 2024
Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa ☹️ I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for ☹️ he was a motivation – I guess an inspiration. Fuck – it’s true- people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people 🙏🏽 damn…..
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 10, 2024
Monsieur Rafael NADAL 🙌🏼🤝🏻
— paire benoit (@benoitpaire) October 10, 2024
Grande Rafa. @RafaelNadal Gracias por todas las memorias ………. Gracias amigo
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) October 10, 2024
Thank you @RafaelNadal for inspiring me and all of us ❤️🙏
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) October 10, 2024
You will be missed 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/uixuSLG0V8
gracias, Rafa!
Rafa keeps his H2H against the new gen in tact. Well played 🙂
When he saw Monfils get schooled on that backhand and Sinner’s shellacking of Medvedev, he said that’s it I’m done. 😂
Fair is fair?
Not one cares about Rafa’s opposition for the past 20 years.
If you give it, you can take it.
more added
Moment of silence for Rafa The Destroyer?
Question: Who was your toughest rival?
Roger: Rafa.
Novak: Rafa.
Rafa: Myself.
That’s offensive. You get in a lot of trouble writing things like that. Thinking is bad enough.
Roger: Lefthanders
Rafa: Low Bounces
Nole: Jimmy Connors
what happened to native new yorker?
Fantastic post….wonderful tributes to a wonderful man. Gracias!