This year will be fondly remembered for the retirement of Spain`s finest, Iniesta arguably the greatest footballer and Rafa Nadal unarguably Spain`s greatest sportsman, fondly that was how Iniesta described Nadal, a reality which we know and deeply appreciate.
Iniesta`s colleagues Xavi and Busquests formed a big 3 that helped Spain and Barcelona reach the summit of football, Nadal was part of Tennis Big 3 that monopolized Tennis in a manner that will never be repeated
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The Big Three
Nadal his friend, Federer and Djokovic won a whopping 66 majors since 2003, from Federer`s first Wimbledon until 2024 The final season with at least two of the three GOATS of tennis Nadal and Djokovic. The trio have amassed titles, with the exception of Wimbledon 2020 which was not played because of the pandemic. from Federer`s first win until Djokovic`s 2023 US open win, The big 3 had 66 of 81 titles an outstanding 81% success rate. At the masters level, they have been very dominant also as the best ranked player, they ended the year as number one an astonishing 18 times from 20 consecutive seasons. Nadal played the Swiss maestro 40 times and the Serb great 60 times a record for the ages. The trio were the only players to win at least 20 grand slams and even have the highest collection of the masters title with more than 20 each, no other player comes close with Nadal at 36 and Djokovic at 40 both are the only players in history with at least 30 masters.with a combined 104 masters from a possible 189, from their first win of Federer in the defunct hamburg 2002 masters,to Nadal`s historic Monte Carlo win in 2005 and Djokovic`s Miami win in 2007 until the Serb, the only active player on court with his victory at Paris in 2023, a 55% win rate in more than two decades of competition.these are records that are mind boggling, similar to the reign of Kasparov and Karpov as chess world champions. at the nine masters, Three of them are record winners or joint record winners in all of the existing masters 1000 tournament again at the masters 500 series, the trio are the top three leaders with the most titles.It is imperative to celebrate Nadal`s achievement firstly as part of the big 3 put in context, in Djokovic`s words I have always respected and greatly admired him and Federer, I grew up and became who i am. their success was inter related in their trying to out perform themselves and history, raising their levels and enriching history
Nadal`s unique Greatness
Nadal alone overcame history on clay, again unarguably the greatest player on this surface. As the youngest ever champion he started a domination and went on and won the Monte Carlo masters 11 times and Rome 10 times, non has won any masters title with such consistency no player has won any in double digits, He held Roland Garros, the French Open an incredible 14 times the number of majors won by the former record holder Sampras, currently the fourth on the all time list. The French Open should be renamed the Nadal Open, a suggestion made by us more than two years ago, having a stature of him may not be enough. his spring sweep of every significant title on clay in 2010 was another record, he conquered Monte Carlo,Rome and the Madrid masters and the French Open, he had a summer sweep in 2013, winning Montreal and Cincinnati and then the US open in 2013 his least favorite surface. the big 3 pushed themselves beyond their limits but on clay he was the only King. Nadal defeated his major rivals in their own turf and never lost to them in any major finals of his, King Nadal won all the French open finals, a perfect record the highest perfect score in any slam in both the male and female category, had a history defining 112-4 record the best in tennis. he has the most clay court titles with 26, which is far more than a combined total from his nearest rivals Djokovic, Federer and Muster. at the masters level that spans across a year with 9 titles, he and Federer shared 4 each in 2005 and in 2013 he and Djokovic had the most, this is the best domination so far at that level. Nadal, Djokovic and Agassi are the only players with the golden slam but he is alone in winning the Olympic gold in the singles and doubles event plus all the majors, Four at the US open, two each at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, his 81 match winning streak on clay is still the greatest in any surface. This achievement will not have been possible without his uncle Toni Nadal, he gave Rafa the training and direction to excel, it established his coaching dynasty and enabled Nadal to reach those impossible heights.
Nadal the ultimate Role Model
Humility is the recognition of your limitations
Nadal
Not only in the stats have Nadal left a remarkable and great impression but beyond, considering his injuries, he was not projected to have a long career but his endurance is a lesson for everyone faced with any set back on how best to fight back, his relationship with colleagues was exceptional, always friendly whether he won or lost, a legacy that needs to be emulated. he is a role model not just for sports but for life. Sports had made him an immortal, history will always have Nadal.
As he gloriously bows out in style he has left everything on the court, a challenge for everyone on how to put in the effort. how can this inspire us to be the best in our various endeavors? how can we model his fighting spirit to conquer adversity? Nadal has played his path what about us?
A Tribute to Nadal
Across social media stars and icons paid the ultimate tribute to Nadal
Best of the Quotes in celebration of his Achievement and exit
“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!”Federer on Instagram.
Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become icon of tennis and sport in general. Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player. Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you best possible farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career Djokovic
14 thanks for the millions of memories. Roland Garros
Another tough one. Retirement is inevitable but I’m going to miss watching this bloke fighting for every point like no other. A truly remarkable human, best wishes Rod Laver
“true phenomenon”. a tribute from Brazilian Ronaldo
“You were and still are the biggest inspiration that I ever had in tennis,” Swiatek said. “The reason why sometimes I got extra motivated and kept pushing myself. “Thank you for that and thank you for being such an amazing person off the court as well. Swiatek
“[Nadal] possessed every quality in an athlete that you want for your own kids to try & emulate. Kindness, respect, hard-working, loyal, generous, belief & a willingness to fight for every single point. A role model, an inspiration to every generation and all-time legend.” Darren Cahill
