The other side of Rafael Nadal's career

11/28/2024 02:00 PM

Rafael Nadal's retirement saddened fans around the world, although it was clear to everyone that the Spanish legend's career was very close to its conclusion. At 38, the 22-time Grand Slam champion decided it was the right time to quit professional tennis and devote himself to his family full-time.

The last two years have been particularly tough for the former world No. 1, who has had many injuries and has not been able to play as he would have liked. The 14-time French Open champion would have liked to play more tournaments during his last dance in 2024, but his body did not allow him to go beyond 19 matches played (before the Davis Cup Finals).

When he announced that he would be retiring from the Davis Cup Finals, everyone thought that Nadal would only play doubles in Malaga. Against all odds, Spain captain David Ferrer decided to field him in the first singles against Botic van de Zandschulp and the result was simply disastrous. Rafa gave his best as always, but he didn't have enough level to win. That loss condemned Spain to a premature and shocking elimination in the quarterfinals, making the farewell ceremony in Nadal's honor much less iconic than expected.

Although the ending was not ideal, the Spanish legend can be proud thinking about the various moments of his glorious career.

No one thought that Rafa would play until 2024 and that he would remain at the highest level until 2022, when he won his last two Grand Slam titles (in Australia and Paris). Nadal has exceeded his limits several times and has subjected his body to a truly remarkable stress, never giving up even when injuries seemed to have taken over.

In an interview with the official ATP website, uncle Toni spoke about Rafa’s amazing career: "Of course I saw him suffer. But I got so used to seeing him suffer so many times during his tennis life.

Many times he had bad injuries, injuries that looked like they were going to impair him and even prevent him from playing anymore. Because I got so used to that, I wasn’t surprised to see him suffer a bit at the end. The truth is that, even seeing him suffer, I think Rafael can’t complain because life has treated him very well."

He continued: "I feel very happy about everything that he’s achieved, obviously on court because of everything he won. But, above all, the most notable thing, which really pleases me as a relative, is seeing how a boy who had a dream of being a great tennis player did everything possible without losing his way."

At some points this season, the former world No. 1 had thought of extending his career even further. Rafa could have played a few tournaments (on red clay) in 2025 as well, but he understood that it would make no sense to continue without being able to win the most important titles.

The Spanish legend was no longer able to defeat the current top players and his physical decline had become glaring for everyone. Not even his beloved red clay has saved him this year, also due to the usual injuries and not particularly favorable draws (such as at the French Open and the Paris Olympics).

The hope of fans is that the 22-time Grand Slam champion will organize some exhibition matches with his eternal rival Roger Federer, although the Swiss still has knee problems.

On the latest edition of ‘The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast’, former World No.9 Andrea Petkovic reflected on Nadal’s retirement: “Boris Becker… I just saw him for a lot of times now lately, and he said to me, ‘It’s like a drug. Tennis is like a drug.’ He said, ‘Winning titles is a drug, playing on Centre Court is a drug.

I think with Rafa you could see when it turns into addiction, when it becomes hurtful for your life.

You could tell that he was starting to neglect his being, like you could see that it was unhealthy, he was injured all the time, you could see it in his face. Rafa is not the most relaxed person in general.”

Petkovic added: “I will have the h*ttest of h*ttest takes here. I think he could have been much better if he had less fear in him.

Have you ever watched him practice? He played in practice 10 times the speed which he played in matches, as he got so tight and everything got short. Sometimes you would get glimpses that Rafa would be able to play even better, which is crazy.”