Rafael Nadal may have hung up his racquet, but his retirement has left fans grappling with an emotional void. After watching the Spanish legend dominate the courts for over two decades, the tennis world is still buzzing with heartfelt tributes celebrating his incredible legacy. And just when you thought the wave of admiration was settling, a new voice has joined the chorus—Brooklyn Decker, wife of Andy Roddick and a star in her own right.

The Spanish tennis great played his last match representing Spain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. He faced a disappointing defeat at the hands of Dutch star Botic van de Zandschulp. Soon after this setback, Spain faced another upset in the doubles category marking an end to the nation’s progress in the tournament and bringing Nadal’s career to an end. Tributes have continuously poured in since then and now, the American model and actress has joined the fray.

Although a little late to the tribute party, Brooklyn’s one-word reaction highlights her admiration for the Spanish great. Taking to her Instagram story, she shared a post by sportswear giant Nike that read, “Greatness. It only takes everything.” Captioning the post, Decker wrote, “Iconic,” expressing her affirmation of Nike’s remark and her admiration for Rafa’s legacy. However, she is not the only non-tennis entity to have expressed such a sentiment for the retiring legend. 

Earlier, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo also shared a tribute for the ‘King of Clay’ and highlighted his stature in the entire sports arena. “Rafa, what an incredible career you have had! Your dedication, passion, and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and be able to call you a friend. Congratulations on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!,” Ronaldo wrote in an Instagram post. 

Coming to Rafael Nadal, the retirement is not easy for him either. However, he is bidding adieu to the sport with peace of mind and personal satisfaction, thanks to his glorious career!

Rafael Nadal makes true admission about retiring from tennis

Leaving a sport that they breathed is not an easy task for any athlete and Rafael Nadal is no exception. The 38-year-old did not just dazzle the courts but also re-defined an entire era. But as he sings his swan, he is doing so with a much-deserved peace of mind, calmness, and satisfaction, as revealed by Rafa himself.

In an interaction with reporters ahead of the Davis Cup finals, Rafa said, “I am going to leave this professional tour with the calm and with the personal satisfaction that I give my best almost in every single moment.” He also claimed that he is not worried about the next phase of his life either and is ready to face everything that may come his way.  

“I am not worried about the next chapter in my life. I have been always happy without tennis, and I had a lot of moments in my life that I was not able to play tennis because of injuries, so I spent a lot of months doing other things.” As Rafael Nadal leaves behind a legacy, one thing is certain: he will continue to remain a role model for many current and budding players. And the latest tribute from Decker, further shares light on the fact that legends like Rafa aren’t just remembered—they’re celebrated, over and over again.