Carlos Alcaraz and his team were visibly moved after Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis. On Thursday, Nadal shared the news on social media, marking the end of a stellar career with 22 Grand Slam titles. The Spanish legend thanked his fans for their unwavering support in his heartfelt announcement.
Since the news broke, numerous current and former players have taken to social media to congratulate Nadal on his retirement. A viral video shows Carlos Alcaraz watching Nadal’s announcement on a cellphone with his team members. The group appeared deeply emotional, reflecting on Nadal’s legendary status in the sport.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal react during a match at the Paris Olympics. (REUTERS)
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal react during a match at the Paris Olympics. (REUTERS)
Revealing his shock at Nadal’s decision, Alcaraz stated, “Honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I watched it. It didn’t affect me before the match; I remained focused. But watching the video was tough to accept. I was in shock for a bit. Thankfully, I saw it an hour before the match, which gave me time to process and set it aside for the game.”
Alcaraz continued, “It’s incredibly difficult news for everyone, especially for me. Nadal has been my idol since I started playing tennis. Thanks to him, I aspired to become a professional tennis player. Losing him in the sport will be challenging, so I will cherish every moment of his remaining matches.”
Nadal’s final tournament will be the Davis Cup finals in November in Malaga, where Spain faces the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. This will be his first appearance since the Paris Olympics, and it will mark the conclusion of an iconic career.
