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End of an era: Rafael Nadal’s incredible journey in 12 photos

Pierre Blais

2024-12-10 19:14:25

End of an era: Rafael Nadal's incredible journey in 12 photos — Crédit: Getty Images

Tennis player Rafael Nadal's career is over. A major milestone in the history of the sport, Nadal left his mark on his generation like few athletes before him.

An early emergence

Born in 1986, Rafael Nadal hung up his racket at the age of 38. He was just 16, in 2002, when he took off on the world circuit.

A top performer right from the start

His first real season on the ATP circuit came in 2003. His first title came in 2004, and his reputation grew from strength to strength!

Lots of wins

Rafael Nadal will never look back. Over the next two decades, he amassed almost $135 million in tournament prize money.

At the heart of a historic line-up

If he doesn't look back, Nadal will have no choice but to watch his blind spot on several occasions. He will be the eternal rival of two of tennis' all-time greats: Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

20 years at the top

Nadal succeeded in establishing himself within this infernal line, which swept everything in its path for some twenty years. In the end, the new retiree will have won 92 singles titles.

Face to face with Federer

World number 1 for countless weeks during his career, Nadal has always competed fiercely with Federer. He has won 24 of the 40 meetings between the two!

The clay court, his territory

While Rafael Nadal is an excellent tennis player, it's important to note that his surface of choice was clay. For many years, he was virtually unbeatable on it.

Memories to last a lifetime

Nadal will remember his first Grand Slam title in 2005, on the clay courts of Roland Garros, for the rest of his life.

Roland Garros: 14 victories!

He would eventually win 14 editions of this tournament, an unparalleled number, of course. And he never lost in the final of this major competition.

A 6-hour match

Nadal's career has also been punctuated by a few unusual events. In 2012, for example, he played the longest final of any tournament against Novak Djokovic, a match lasting almost 6 hours.

Number 1 over 3 decades

Or did you know that he is the only tennis player to have been world number 1 over 3 decades?

Never forgotten

What a career, and so many moving moments! Bravo, Rafa, we'll miss you!