Rafael Nadal’s retirement from tennis in 2024 signified a momentous changing of the guard on the ATP Tour.
A new era of tennis is on the horizon, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner emerging as the sport’s next superstars and Novak Djokovic perhaps creeping towards the end of his career.
Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, has a plethora of personal and professional awards to call upon when being remembered as one of the greatest tennis players and role models of the 21st century.
However, the Spaniard has expressed what he would like to be ‘loved’ for after his playing career, and it has little to do with his on-court performances.
Rafael Nadal wants to be loved for his character
Nadal, one of the most polite players to have played on the ATP Tour, recently congratulated Coco Gauff on her French Open victory.
The 39-year-old’s recent interview with Sport only confirmed his long-standing desire to treat others well.
He said: “On a sporting level, the results are what people will remember.”
“On a human level, you might even fool the general public around the world, but the people who work at a tournament, not just your team, are the ones who see your day-to-day life.
“They are the ones who truly value how you are, and when you return years later, they are excited not because of the numbers, but because of who you are as a person, because of your character.”
Nadal retired in 2024 after a storied career. The two-time Olympic gold medallist won 92 ATP Tour titles, including two Wimbledon titles, two Australian Open titles and four US Open titles.
Despite these achievements, Nadal is more concerned about how he has conducted himself around others during his career.
Nadal added: “I would like to be one of those people who, when they return to tournaments after three or four years, even if it’s just for two days, enjoy seeing me again.
“I’ve had a good reaction from everyone during [my] 20-year career, and this is what remains.
“The way you’ve behaved, the way you’ve treated the people you’ve been around. I’ve tried to do that well, and I’m more or less loved for the way I’ve behaved.”
Rafael Nadal’s route to his first Grand Slam title
As a 19-year-old who had just won the Monte-Carlo and Rome titles, fourth-seeded Rafael Nadal walked into the 2005 French Open as one of the contenders.
In the first round, he dismissed Germany’s Lars Burgsmuller 6-1 7-6 6-1, before defeating Belgium’s Xavier Malisse 6-2 6-2 6-4.
He then defeated a young Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-3 6-2 before dispatching compatriot David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 6-0.
Nadal lost his first set of the tournament to his now long-time friend and rival Roger Federer in the semi-final. However, the Spaniard was too strong for the Swiss great, winning 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-3.
In the final, Nadal defeated Argentina’s Mariano Puerta, becoming the first player to win on debut in Paris since 1982, when Mats Wilander won the title.
