Rafael Nadal is set to retire from tennis, and his longtime rival Roger Federer paid homage to him in a lengthy post.
What happened?
Federer acknowledged the competitiveness between the two, saying Nadal beat him more often than not.
Nadal challenged Federer in ways no one else could, especially on clay.
Why it matters for Rafael Nadal
Federer and Nadal forged a great rivalry, producing some of the most gripping tennis matches in history, including the 2008 Wimbledon final.
Their rivalry also developed into a beautiful friendship, with moments like the 2010 promotional video and the 2022 Laver Cup.
What comes next?
Nadal will face Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at 11 a.m. ET, before retiring from tennis.
He won the second-most majors in men's tennis history, including a record 14 French Open singles titles.
Nadal is one of just three men to win the golden slam, along with Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic.
Career highlights
Federer wrote about their final match together, saying it meant everything to him that Nadal was by his side.
Sharing the court with Nadal that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of Federer's career.
Nadal announced his retirement from tennis in a video posted on X in October, finishing his career with 22 major titles.
He will always be remembered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with a record that will be hard to beat.
The 2024 Davis Cup will be his final tournament, and fans will be watching to see him play one last time.
Nadal's legacy will live on, inspiring future generations of tennis players.
His retirement marks the end of an era in tennis, but his impact will be felt for years to come.
The tennis world will miss Rafael Nadal, but his memory will live on through his incredible achievements.