Non-tennis tributes to Rafael Nadal's career: Pau Gasol toasts his 'amigo,' while Rory McIlroy hails his 'hero'

As the former world No. 1 prepares to hang up his racquets, here is Nadal talking tennis philosophy, finding joy through suffering, his biggest rivalries and more.

ByStephanie Livaudais

Published Nov 18, 2024

No matter what happens in Malaga on Tuesday, it will mark a full-circle moment for Rafael Nadal. The 38-year-old Spaniard is preparing to participate in his final professional tennis event at the Davis Cup Finals, 20 years after he made his unforgettable debut in this competition.

Fighting through injury, competing for something greater than himself and giving his all to be ready to play if he’s selected… It all sums up the ethos of the 22-time Grand Slam winner, who has struggled with injuries and overcome physical setbacks throughout his legendary career.

As the former world No. 1 prepares to hang up his racquets, we’ve collected some of his most memorable lines about his tennis mentality, finding joy through suffering, his legendary rivalries and more:

"I play each point like my life depends on it."

"Winning would be amazing. The rest—being number one, number two—it doesn’t matter. I always try to play my best."
— Summing up his tennis philosophy on the eve of the 2009 ATP Finals.

"The glory is being happy. The glory is not winning here or winning there. The glory is enjoying practice, enjoying every day, enjoying working hard, trying to be a better player than before."

"Success is not the victory, but everything you have overcome in order to win."

"I enjoyed today's final. I suffered, but I enjoyed it."
— After defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets to win his seventh Roland Garros title in 2012.

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Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles during his career, including 14 at Roland Garros.

"I learned during all my career to enjoy suffering."
— On his legendary mental resilience.

"I admire the mental aspect of sport more than the physical aspect, because physical performance is much easier to practice than mental performance."

"Humility is the recognition of your limitations."

"What do you mean 'pain-free'? I am not injured, no. Pain-free is a long time ago."
— When asked about his physical condition ahead of the 2017 Australian Open.

"Enduring means accepting. Accepting things as they are and not as you wish them to be. And then looking ahead. And not behind."

"You can’t overcome doubts, you always live with them. What you can do is give your best every day."
— On how he uses self-doubt as motivation to work hard.

Born with a degenerative foot condition, Nadal struggled with chronic pain and injuries since his earliest days on tour.

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"My biggest rival is the next one."

"We have a lot of respect for each other. We've played a lot of times. I think we did important things for tennis, and we appreciate that."
— On his rivalry with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

"Man, you’re getting old. Stop winning. Leave something for the youngest, okay?"
— Nadal's birthday message to Federer in 2017.

"I don't want to look like I'm gonna be his boyfriend!"
— When asked what he appreciates about Federer as a player and “as a man off the court” at the 2017 US Open.

Nadal faced Federer 40 times, including in the 2008 Wimbledon final—which is widely remembered as the best men's tennis match in history.

"It's great to be part of this rivalry, to be in the middle of these three players (including Federer and Djokovic) that achieved that much in this sport in the same era. It's something that is going to be difficult to see it again, but we are not done."
— After losing to Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final.

"I have pain here… in my famous ass."
— A young Nadal left the Australian Open press room in stitches with his hilarious description in 2007.

"For me, it wasn't a problem. The guy was really nice! He said 'I love you' and he kissed me."
— After getting friendly with a US Open pitch invader in 2009.

"Oh my God, Andy, you look so sexy tonight. It’s a shame you’re here with your girlfriend.”
— Sent via text message from an unknown number as a prank for Andy Murray, who was on a date with future wife Kim.

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“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” said Nadal as he announced his upcoming retirement.

“What happened in Monte Carlo happened, and what happened in Madrid happened, and what happened in Barcelona happened. And here we are. We are in Rome.”
— Nadal's frank assesment shortly after losing three straight clay court semifinals, in the lead-up to winning Roland Garros in 2017.

“I like fishing. Not actual fishing; I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It's different.”

"If I don't believe that I can be competitive—and when I mean competitive, it's fighting for the things that I fought for during the last 10 years—I will be probably playing golf or fishing at home."
— In 2017, on what he'll do when his professional tennis career is officially done.