Rafael Nadal has officially called time on his illustrious career, after Spain lost to Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals on Tuesday in Malaga. It was a sad moment for our sport, but also a chance for Nadal’s many admirers to give the King of Clay a proper sendoff, and they did not disappoint.
Nadal was sent off by the public in Spain with a long ceremony that featured an emotional speeches by Nadal in Spanish (and even some words in French), as well as a tearjerking tribute video that featured words from the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro and more.
Naturally, social media was flooded with rich content, all focused on Nadal’s tremendous career and collective sadness that we all were feeling in that moment.
Read on to see the best reactions to the end of Nadal’s illustrious career.
1. His biggest rival, Roger Federer, had amazing things to say about Rafa on Tuesday.
2. Smile because it happened, indeed.
3. Idol. Inspiration. King..
4. We’ll never get over it.
5. Young Carlitos pays tribute.
6. Rafael Nadal, one of one.
7. GOATS crying over GOATS - gotta love it. .
8. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka was in the Nadal spirit.
9. And a two-time gold medalist.
10. Nike’s beautiful words ring so true.
11. Rafa’s reach went far outside the tennis world.
12. Nadal broke the mold for sure.
13. As were we, Coco.
14. Delpo with heartfelt words.
15. Fittingly it ended at Davis Cup, with Rafa close to his teammates and compatriots who helped him along the way. .