Rafael Nadal endured several injury issues before he announced his retirement and former major doubles champion Nicolas Mahut thinks he had no choice but to retire from the sport.
Novak Djokovic paid a touching tribute to his great rival, promising to be present for his final-ever appearance at the Davis Cup Finals in November. Nadal is in Spain’s team along with Carlos Alcaraz.
Some have speculated that Djokovic and Nadal do not have the most friendly relationship off the court, but the Serbian’s respect for Nadal could not have been clearer when he spoke about his retirement.
Nadal’s other great rival, Roger Federer, thanked the 22-time Grand Slam champion for everything he has done for tennis, admitting he hoped the news of his retirement would never come because of what he means to tennis.
Mahut is a five-time Grand Slam doubles champion, reaching the top of the doubles rankings in 2016. He is also known for playing the longest Grand Slam match ever against John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010.
The Frenchman told Eurosport that Nadal’s injury issues meant the decision to retire was probably out of his hands. He also said the day Nadal announced it was a double shock in France since local hero Richard Gasquet also announced his retirement.
“I think it’s not really his decision, but his body made the decision for him. It’s complicated. The end of Rafa was a little shock especially since it followed the announcement of Richard, so we had two news in one day. It was not a very good day.”
Mahut acknowledged fans had been preparing for the moment after how little Nadal has been able to play in recent years, but he said it is tough to accept that moment has arrived when looking back at his greatest points.
“We were prepared but despite that but for me who am a big fan and admirer of Nadal, it was a bit difficult, especially when you review his most beautiful points.”
“It’s going to be difficult even if we anticipated the post-Nadal. We expected it, it’s a half surprise. We all hoped that he would go on for a year to say goodbye to Roland Garros.”
The two-time French Open men’s doubles champion is one of millions who will miss watching Nadal play. Watching the 38-year-old in his prime was one of the most thrilling sights in tennis history.
Hopefully, he gets the send-off he deserves at the Davis Cup Finals. It would feel wrong if Nadal did not leave the sport on a high. He may play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Finals in Malaga.
