Maria Sharapova pays very classy tribute to Rafael Nadal

11/20/2024 07:30 PM

Maria Sharapova had a very classy message for Rafael Nadal as the Russian tennis icon pretty much described the Spaniard as a very unique player and someone who was the definition of competitiveness. 

After weeks of uncertainty, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the former world No. 1 would take to the court in Spain's Davis Cup Finals tie against Netherlands. While that was a positive thing, the sad part was that the 22-time Grand Slam champion didn't manage to end victorious after 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp handed him a 6-4 6-4 loss. 

During the match, Nadal didn't look anywhere near his best but one thing was there - he fought until the end despite even being down by a set and two breaks at one point.

"No one like you, @rafaelnadal. 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," Sharapova captioned her Instagram Story.

Following the 38-year-old's defeat to Dutchman, Carlos Alcaraz gave Spain hope by beating Tallon Grieekspor and leveling the tie. But just when it started to look like the host nation would complete a comeback, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers fell short in the doubles match against van de Zsndschulp and Wesley Koolhof.

By Spain losing to Netherlands in the quarterfinal stage, Nadal's career also ended but he didn't leave the court in Malaga before addressing the crowd.

"The title, the numbers are there, so the people probably know that. I would like to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Majorca. I had the luck. My uncle was a tennis coach in my village when I was a small kid, and I had a great family that supported me in every single moment. Just a kid who followed their dream and worked as hard as possible to be what I am today,” Nadal said in his retirement speech.