'What an incredible career you have had!'

On October 10, Rafael Nadal, the 38-year-old Spanish Tennis legend, announced that he will be retiring after the David Cup finals next month (November). The 22-time grand slam winner took to his social media to make the announcement.
"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don't think I have been able to play without limitations," said Nadal in a video message.

As the tennis legend prepares to say goodbye, Cristiano Ronaldo, regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the world, paid a heartfelt tribute to Rafael. Cristiano praised Nadal's 'incredible career'. He wrote under Federer's Instagram post, "Rafa, what an incredible career you have had! Your dedication, passion, and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world."
He added, "It has been an honour to witness your journey and be able to call you a friend. Congratulatons on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement."

Apart from Ronaldo, Roger Federer, Nadal's greatest rival also paid tribute to the 'King of Clay'. "I always hoped this day would never come," wrote Federer. He also thanked him for the 'unforgettable memories' and 'all your incredible achievements in the game we love'.

Nadal has had an amazing career. In 2003, he made his Wimbledon debut at the age of 17. At 18, he was a part of the Spanish team that won the Davis Cup. He won his first major title at his first French Open at 19. The tennis legend has won 92 ATP titles in his career, including 36 Masters titles.

Talking about Ronaldo, he became the first player in football history to reach 900 career goals for both club and country in September 2024.