Rafael Nadal
Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek salute Rafael Nadal
WTA stars share emotional messages
October 11, 2024
Mathew Stockman/Getty Pictures
Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek at 2022 US Open.
By ATP Workers
After Rafael Nadal introduced his retirement from skilled tennis on the finish of the 2024 season on Thursday, WTA stars Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff shared heartwarming messages for the previous World No. 1, who spent 209 weeks atop the PIF ATP Rankings throughout his profession.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion who considers Nadal her position mannequin, posted a video on social media, sharing ideas about her “largest inspiration” and his impression on her profession.
“You have been and nonetheless are the largest inspiration that I ever had in tennis. The explanation why typically I received further motivated and stored pushing myself,” the four-time Roland Garros champion shared.
Calling it a special occasion for each tennis fan, Swiatek thanked the 22-time Grand Slam champion for humility and wished him one of the best as he prepares for the subsequent chapter of his life.
“I hope you are going to benefit from the different a part of your life and hopefully perhaps another profession, as a result of the sky is the restrict for you now. And I hope you’ll spend a variety of time now together with your shut ones and your loved ones.”
RafIga FOREVER ♾#RafaSiempre pic.twitter.com/YPPH7Rd8Vl
— wta (@WTA) October 11, 2024
Coco Gauff additionally shared her ideas in regards to the 14-time Roland Garros champion on the Dongfeng Voyah · Wuhan Open WTA event in China.
“He’s my favourite individual to observe apply truthfully,” the 2023 US Open champion stated. “The depth that he introduced on the apply court docket and clearly on the match court docket is one thing that I felt like watching is unmatched.
“Watching the video, a bit emotional as a result of Rafa is all I’ve recognized rising up. Fairly positive he is gained Roland Garros for almost all of my life,” shared Gauff, born three years after Nadal turned professional in 2001.
She additionally recalled fond recollections of Nadal from this 12 months’s Paris Olympics.
“Really, I do not suppose I posted the image, however we traded pins on the Olympics, which is the one factor I needed to do. He was tremendous good with that. We have been each ready on the shuttle. It was the final shuttle of the day, like 11 p.m. I requested him if I may have certainly one of his pins. He gave me one.
“Carlos [Alcaraz] was there, too, however Carlos did not have any pins. I solely took the image with Rafa there. I used to be like, ‘Carlos, you may’t be in it since you did not give me a pin,” she shared, laughing.
“Yeah, simply one thing like that I will keep in mind. And one thing I will undoubtedly inform my children as a result of it meant lots to me.”
The Spaniard, who has a 12-7 document for the 2024 season in response to Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, will play his last occasion on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, in November.
– with help from WTATennis.com.