The Big 3, although not together on the tour now, constitutes a massive element of the sport’s popularity. The first pillar to finally go off to rest was Roger Federer. The Serbian maestro left behind an enduring legacy and numbers that are still hard to chase for new faces. While the other two, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were bearing the expectations of the retro tennis fans, the latter recently decided to go off soon. But what were the age and other important dynamics during the time of their retirements?

The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, shared the news of his retirement at 38 years of age. In a video shared as recently as Thursday, he revealed, “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.” The legend reflected on the challenges he faced in recent years, explaining, “The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”

Nadal’s ongoing knee injury brought him immense struggles and therefore had a huge contribution to this tough decision. His final appearance will be at the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain, in November 2024, which will mark the end of an extraordinary career that also saw him win 14 French Open titles. Nadal expressed his deep gratitude to fans, thanking them in 13 different languages on X.

Contrastingly, Roger Federer, Nadal’s longtime rival and friend, retired at the age of 41 in 2022. Like the Spaniard, he also struggled with injuries, saying, “The past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries.” He played over 1,500 matches in a career spanning 24 years, but eventually listened to his body. “My body’s message to me lately has been clear,” Federer admitted. His retirement came after his last match at the Laver Cup, where he played doubles alongside Nadal, providing an emotional conclusion to his career. It’s Federer’s time to show his support to Nadal.

Will Roger Federer show up at Rafael Nadal’s farewell?

In 2022, fierce rivals for years, Federer and Nadal(Europe) teamed up on the same side of the net for his final match, which ended in a close defeat to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe(World). The atmosphere was electric as the sold-out O2 Arena was forced to give them a standing ovation. Federer, emotional after match point, spoke about how happy he was to play one last time, especially alongside Nadal. “Playing with Rafa on the same team and having everybody here, all the legends – thank you,” he said.

The night was full of heartfelt moments. Novak Djokovic, another rival and friend, filmed from the bench as a tribute video played, featuring Nadal, Federer’s mother, and others. Federer even broke down in tears while thanking his wife, Mirka, for supporting him throughout his career. His post-match press conference reflected the deep emotions he felt during those final days. “The last two days have been tough, to say the least,” he said. He expressed relief that he could enjoy the moment without being overwhelmed by stress.

Now, with Nadal announcing his own retirement, fans have high hopes of seeing the Swiss tennis maestro return the support. Considering the emotional bond they shared during Federer’s farewell, it seems likely Federer will show up for Nadal’s big moment. After all, their rivalry was a major element of tennis history, and the mutual respect they have built over the years could make Federer’s presence at Nadal’s farewell inevitable.