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Social Reaction: Rafael Nadal’s peers and rivals 'reject' his application to retire

As the tennis world wakes up to the news of the 22-time Grand Slam winner's impending retirement, here's what Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios and more had to say.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Oct 10, 2024

Say it ain't so, Rafa!

With a single video message shared to social media, Rafael Nadal broke the hearts of tennis fans the world over as the 22-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the season.

"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make," the 38-year-old said in Spanish. "But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined."

Read More: BREAKING: Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis, will play last match at Davis Cup

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"What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come,"  wrote 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, Nadal's long time rival and great friend, in the comment section of the Spaniard's Instagram post.

"Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honor!"

Coco Gauff also took to the comments to tell Nadal, "You are amazing! It’s been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter."

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"RAFA Forever!! Thank you for everything legend," wrote Casper Ruud, while Matteo Berrettini simply shared, "LEYENDA (LEGEND)."

As the rest of the tennis world woke up to the news, Rafa's fans weren't the only ones taking to social media on Thursday to ask him to reconsider.

"Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire," wrote Great Britain's Katie Boulter, while former world No. 13 Nick Kyrgios said: "Rafa don't retire I wanna play you (one) last time."

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Former world No. 2 Ons Jabeur thanked Nadal "for inspiring me and all of us" over the years:

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"Thank you for everything you have done for this sport," wrote Caroline Garcia in Spanish, while her countryman Lucas Pouille perfectly summed up the mood of French tennis fans: "Rafa and (Richard Gasquet) on the same day is too much."

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Check even more social posts below, as current and former players and legends proccess the news of Nadal's retirement:

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