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Rafael Nadal has been described arsenic a "legend" and "one of the top of each time" aft the tennis icon confirmed helium volition discontinue astatine the extremity of this season.
'Big Three' rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic person led the tributes to Spain's 22-time Grand Slam champion, who volition vie for the last time astatine adjacent month's Davis Cup Finals successful Malaga.
Known arsenic the 'King of Clay' during an illustrious vocation successful which helium won 14 French Open titles, Nadal retires arsenic the second-most palmy men's singles subordinate of each time, down lone Djokovic.
"You person inspired millions of children to commencement playing tennis, and I deliberation that is astir apt the top accomplishment anyone tin privation for," said Djokovic, who confirmed helium volition beryllium contiguous successful Malaga to "pay respect" to Nadal's career.
"Your tenacity, dedication, warring tone is going to beryllium taught for decades. Your bequest volition unrecorded forever."
While 24-time Slam victor Djokovic is inactive competing, Federer retired connected 20 titles successful 2022 - and famously cried alongside Nadal aft the Swiss played his farewell tourney astatine the Laver Cup 2 years ago.
Among galore titanic battles for the sport's large prizes, the brace contested arguably "the top lucifer ever played" successful the 2008 Wimbledon final.
"What a career, Rafa! I ever hoped this time would ne'er come," said Federer.
"Thank you for the unforgettable memories and each your unthinkable achievements successful the crippled we love. It's been an implicit honour."
Nadal's compatriot Carlos Alcaraz has already accumulated 4 Grand Slam titles arsenic the 21-year-old looks to emulate the occurrence of his puerility hero.
Alcaraz, who partnered Nadal successful the men's doubles astatine the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer, said helium was "in shock" aft helium heard the quality soon earlier losing successful the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals connected Thursday.
"Thankfully I saw it an hr earlier the match, truthful I had clip to judge it. It is truly hard news, adjacent tougher for maine due to the fact that he's been my idol since I started playing tennis," Alcaraz said.
The satellite fig 2 aboriginal posted connected societal media: "From the kid who watched you connected TV and dreamed of becoming a tennis player, to the 1 who had the immense acquisition of playing alongside you astatine Roland Garros representing Spain successful the Olympic Games!
"Thank you precise overmuch for being an illustration astatine each levels, your bequest is unrepeatable. I've enjoyed you truthful overmuch and volition miss you truthful overmuch erstwhile you discontinue aft Davis Cup, Rafa!"
Jannik Sinner, the current men's satellite fig one, said: "It's pugnacious quality for each the tennis world. I was precise fortunate to get to cognize him and he's an unbelievable person.
"He gave to each of america a batch of emotions erstwhile we saw him playing."
Women's satellite fig four Coco Gauff said: "You are amazing! It's been truthful unthinkable to witnesser your greatness and enactment ethic and beryllium capable to larn from it."
Ons Jabeur, the erstwhile satellite fig two, said: "Thank you Rafa for inspiring maine and each of us. You volition beryllium missed."
The French Open posted connected X: "14 acknowledgment for the millions of memories!", portion Wimbledon posted on Instagram: "Thank you for everything, Rafa."
The Australian Open's X relationship posted: "Legendary memories. You are truthful loved astir the satellite and present with america successful Australia. Grateful for each the unforgettable moments. Gracias, Rafa. For everything!"
Former British tennis subordinate Greg Rusedski described Nadal arsenic "a large competitor" and predicted cipher volition bushed the Spaniard's grounds of 14 French Open titles.
"He's a fable of our game, he'll beryllium genuinely missed," Rusedski told BBC Sport quality analogous Laura Scott. "To triumph that galore matches connected clay, nary 1 volition ever execute that feat again and that benignant of winning grounds astatine the French Open."
The ATP Tour posted: "There are nary words for however this feels, the time we wished would ne'er come. You person fixed america each the astir unthinkable moments and memories."
ITF president David Haggerty said: "Rafael Nadal is 1 of the top antheral tennis players of each clip and arsenic bittersweet arsenic it is to perceive this news, I would similar to congratulate him connected his phenomenal career."
International Olympic committee president Thomas Bach said: "You are a legend. A existent Olympian and a large champion who understands the powerfulness of athletics to marque the satellite a amended place. Whatever you bash next, I americium definite you volition proceed to springiness everything you person - arsenic you person done passim your career."
Among the different sports stars to wage tribute to Nadal, Real Madrid and France footballer Kylian Mbappe posted connected Instagram: "Well done connected your vocation Rafa, you're an illustration arsenic a subordinate and a person. You volition ever beryllium a legend."
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo said: "Rafa, what an unthinkable contention you've had! Your dedication, passionateness and unthinkable endowment person inspired millions astir the world. It has been an honour to witnesser your travel and to beryllium capable to telephone you a friend. Congrats connected an astonishing career! Enjoy your retirement!"
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