After 23 glorious years on the court, Rafael Nadal is heading into retirement. This bittersweet day has arrived, one that many tennis fans hoped would never come. On one hand, he has built a legacy that is hard to compete with; on the other, his body can no longer carry him on the court. He is wrapping up his career at the place it all began: the Davis Cup. His journey started in 2004 and has continued until now.

Everyone who’s heard of the sport knows his name. He has served as an inspiration to countless athletes currently competing and those who have yet to step onto the court. To honor this, Sky Sports journalists shared their favorite Rafa moments from his two-decade career in a heartfelt tribute. However, the choice was tough! While everyone knows Nadal is the king of clay, one journalist noted, “He is the most exceptional player I’ve ever seen in my life on Clay.”

Getting good on clay is one thing, but matching Nadal’s level seems nearly impossible. He has won 14 French Open titles, each one greater than the last. The journalist remarked, “I don’t know if I could separate them all. He’s just the greatest player on clay that’s ever been.” This journey began for Rafa back in 2005, when he first beat Mariano Puerta with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and continued until 2022. Along the way, he defeated Roger Federer four times and Novak Djokovic three times in a total of 116 matches at Roland Garros. Another journalist asked, “How does one person win 14 titles at the same slam?”

She highlighted her favorite Rafa moment from Roland Garros as well. It was his final match in 2022, where he triumphed over Casper Ruud with a score of 6–3, 6–3, 6–0. But it wasn’t just about winning; it was how he won—“it basically with one foot, the nerves were dead; he had them burnt off.” During this tournament, Nadal overcame immense pain in his left foot and admitted to playing on painkillers before undergoing a medical procedure called radiofrequency nerve ablation. As she exclaimed, “How on earth did he do that?”

While many favorites stand at Roland Garros, another journalist included Nadal’s 2005 Wimbledon win against Federer in her picks. Nadal won that match with a stellar score of 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7. Their rivalry kept fans on edge for nearly 40 matches, and this time was no different. The journalist pointed out how Nadal won as it got darker into the evening in the fifth set against Roger, “In his three-quarter lengths with the bandana on.” These traits became known as “Classic Rafa,” beloved by fans around the world.

After claiming 22 Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals, and 14 French Open titles among his 92 total victories, Rafa bids farewell to the tennis community. Many will miss seeing him display his topspin forehand signature move. But why did Rafa ultimately decide to retire so soon after his announcement?

Rafa explains why he chose the Davis Cup instead of extending his career one more year.

Many fans hoped for a fairytale ending to Rafael Nadal’s career, but it ended abruptly with a shocking loss to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals. Despite Rafa’s valiant effort against Botic van de Zandschulp, he fell short, losing 6-4, 6-4. Carlos Alcaraz managed to level the tie, but Spain lost the doubles match, ending their campaign. However, Nadal showed glimpses of his former greatness during the match, sparking rumors about extending his career. He quickly silenced those speculations.

After the Davis Cup exit, Nadal reflected on his decision to retire: “Okay, I can hold for one more year but why? I mean, to say goodbye in every single tournament, I don’t have the ego to do that.” At 38, he acknowledged that he is past his prime and lacked the fuel to continue competing at his desired level.

Nadal’s farewell at the Davis Cup was emotional. He said, “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle.” As the tennis world comes together to bid farewell to this legend, with tributes pouring in from stars like Serena Williams and Roger Federer. The question stands: Will there ever be another player as great as Rafael Nadal to dominate the clay courts again?