“Victory belongs to the most persevering.” Rafael Nadal honored this Phillpe Chartrier Court quote; a staggering 14 French Open title record speaks volumes about his calm demeanor—unquestionably so—but his ‘long-drawn’ retirement will imprint a big gap in the Big 3. With uneasiness airing across the community, witnessing the slow closure to the ‘Big 3’, American legend Chris Evert has aired her insight into the Spaniard’s iconic persona.

Let’s be real, the Spaniard was the bridging gap between GOAT debate contentors, 24-time Major holder Novak Djokovic, and ‘Swiss Maestro’ Roger Federer‘s two-decade-long hustle. While the said duo rattled spectators, more often than not, with an occasional outcry, Nadal always maintained his distance from mixing frustration and triumph in the same go.

We all saw the Serbian break at the sport’s most prestigious Wimbledon Championships, smashing his racket to bits and irked with the scorecard while contesting in the summit clash against Carlos Alcaraz. Federer suffered a similar fate to Nole at Miami in 2009. Rafa evaded through those uncertainties. With a stellar legacy to do the talking, Evert highlighted Nadal’s underrated leap over Federer and Djokovic’s fortitude.

In an exclusive interview with ‘Time’, 62-year-old Evert noted that the Spanish sensation seldom broke his toughened personality, a notable difference that puts his rivals on par with him. “That’s him,”  the American spoke while iterating Rafa’s relentless demeanor on-court, always composed around overwhelming crowds. Something that Federer and Djokovic missed on nerving showdowns. “Have you ever seen him break a racquet? Have you ever seen him scream and shout at his coaching box? If he lost, he would give compliments. He wouldn’t make excuses.” Tennis has always seen raging on-court moments.

Players have often punished their rackets under pressure, bearing his tough luck in matches. After all, we’ve all seen Nick Kyrgios, a prominent one on the list, violate code violations with his brash demeanor and smashing rackets, sometimes dismembering court equipment. However, Nadal always endured the grunt. He never cracked, or at least he never let it get the best of him.

For the uninitiated, the former World No. 1 shocked fans with his surprise retirement announcement merely days ago. Amid disheartening emotions, multiple sporting giants honored his impressive journey. To much amazement, Nadal’s longtime friend and rival, Federer, was among the first ones to arrive at his homage.

“Hoped this day would never come:” Emotional Roger Federer pens a heartfelt note to Rafael Nadal

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal announced that the Davis Cup Final in Malaga in November will draw the curtains on his illustrious career. Airing the announcement on social media, Nadal said, “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.” Fazed with the update, Roger Federer stepped up and lauded his longtime friend’s legacy.

Commenting on the Spaniard’s Instagram post, the Swiss legend rightfully acknowledged Nadal’s achievements and reminisced about sharing countless moments with him. “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honor.”

Before representing his country for the last time, Nadal will play in the Six Kings exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. The much-awaited event will showcase stars like Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, relishing a final dance with the acclaimed ‘King of Clay’ Nadal.