Rafael Nadal, the clay-court gladiator, announces his retirement – Technologist

In May 2021, three years before the end of his career, which was made official on Thursday, October 10, at the age of 38, the Spaniard unveiled a sculpture at Roland-Garros stadium, created by his compatriot Jordi Díez Fernandez, depicting his legendary forehand in steel. From now on, the sculpture will eternally commemorate his incredible achievements that go beyond the borders of tennis alone, including 14 titles won between 2005 and 2022. This surpasses the record of the impassive Swede Björn Borg, whose six titles for a long time seemed out of reach.

“I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” said Rafael Nadal in a video posted on his X account. In fact, he will be retiring after the Davis Cup final with Spain, scheduled for November 19-24 in Malaga.

The French Open will continue to symbolize Nadal’s near absolute rule on clay, his kingdom. His supremacy on clay courts extended beyond the French capital. On that surface, the Majorcan’s rule was ruthless. The devastating power of his shots and his ability to create spin made the ball difficult to control. His innate skill at sliding was unrivaled.

For his opponents, stunned by the left-hander’s relentless pace, the outcome was almost always fatal. “He’d walk all over you. As soon as the match started, he’d give you power on the right, on the left, the lift… It was devastating,” summed up Richard Gasquet in 2021. Born just a fortnight apart from Nadal, the French player is well placed to know: In 18 encounters on the professional circuit, he never managed to beat Nadal.

For a long time, many saw him as nothing more than a bull galloping charging wildly after every ball. This perception was partly influenced by his early attire, which was designed by his equipment manufacturer to resemble that of a pirate, with short pants, a tank top showing off his bulging biceps and a bandana taming his jet-black locks. However, the most disconcerting thing about Nadal was that his rage and aggression on the court were inversely proportional to his nature off it, polite and reserved to a fault.

Between the start of his Parisian reign in 2005 and its end 19 years later, just four other men – Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz – have managed to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires. At the French Open, the Spaniard achieved 112 victories with only four defeats (and a retirement due to injury in the third round in 2016), giving him an impressive 96.4% win rate.

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