Most of us wouldn’t know what it felt like when Rafael Nadal first stormed the ATP nearly two decades ago. Chiseled muscles, coupled with explosive shot-making skills and lighting fast on-court coverage prompted rivals to bite their nails. There were some, however, who took inspiration from the Mallorcan legend, and, surprisingly, one of them was acclaimed women’s tennis GOAT, Serena Williams.

The Spansishjj sensation bid farewell to the sport he adorned on Tuesday after Spain’s quest for a Davis Cup title in Malaga concluded at the hands of team Netherlands. While the crowd serenaded the former World No. 1 with ‘Rafa’ chants echoing throughout the arena, Nadal later expressed his emotions walking away from professional tennis and made a heartfelt admission saying, “The way I would like to be remembered is a good person from a small village in Mallorca”.

With fans and players chiming in to pay respects to his stellar career, American star Williams also uploaded an emotional video, voicing a touching tribute to the 22-time Major winner. In a reel on Instagram, the 43-year-old expressed having a major fangirl moment when he first walked on the scene, eliciting her to draw inspiration from his stellar performances. The former WTA world ranking leader hailed Nadal saying that his greatness could never be replicated.

She said, “Rafael Nadal. Those two names are just such names of legends. He was just one of the most amazing, most fit, most iconic tennis players to ever be seen. I would look at his matches and be like ‘I want to play like that’ and I didn’t always do it but I tried. I think so many people always wanted to figure out how to be like Rafa but no one could. I could never win so many Grand Slams on one surface like that is unheard of. He’s once in a lifetime incredible athlete. I will miss watching you. Wishing you so much luck and success and all the best.”

To much excitement, Williams wasn’t the only ex-player to express their thoughts on his incredible journey. Nadal’s longtime friend and rival also reserved a few words for the Spaniard before he took to the court for his final dance in Malaga.

Roger Federer makes hilarious admission after sending his children to train at Rafael Nadal’s academy

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s famed rivalry can never lose its touch with fans, despite having ceased years ago at Wimbledon in 2019. In their 40 tour-level meetings, Nadal claimed a 24-16 winning record against the ‘Swiss Maestro’, with every last one of their showdown promising a thriller for the crowd. Before bidding farewell in Malaga, Federer penned a heartfelt note for his longtime friend and rival and also, hilariously expressed feeling worried after he sent his kids to train at the Spaniard’s academy, the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.

The former World No. 1 took to his Instagram and compartmentalized their journey on the tour. Later, he heaped praise on Rafa saying, You have been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academy. They had a blast and learned so much – like thousands of other young players,” and, then, amusingly said: “Although I was always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties”.

With Nadal gone, it seems as if a glorious era in the sport is coming to a screeching halt. Federer drew the curtain on his career in 2022, Andy Murray retired this past summer after the Paris Olympics and, Novak Djokovic, the last one standing, has been carrying on with speculations of a retirement later next year.