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Nick Kyrgios urged Rafael Nadal to reconsider his retirement after he announced the news online on October 10, 2024. Several fans reacted to Kyrgios' remark, with some targeting his recent absence from professional tennis.
Nadal announced that he will play his last match in Malaga, Spain in the knockout stages of the Davis Cup. The 38-year-old posted a clip on social media sharing that the previous two years have been difficult due to a series of injuries.
"I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially the last two. I don't think I have been able to play without difficulties," Nadal said.
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The Spaniard received laudatory messages from the tennis fraternity, including Andy Roddick, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner. Kyrgios' message to Nadal on X read:
"Rafa don’t retire I wanna play you 1 last time."
Kyrgios has competed in only one singles match over the past two years due to knee and wrist injuries that necessitated surgery. However, he has kept himself close to sports as a commentator.
Several fans responded to Kyrgios' proposal for Rafael Nadal.
"I thought you retired already," one wrote.
"Behave Nick he still beats you at 50 on crutches," another said.
"What will you achieve????" a third fan wrote.
Here are a few more reactions:
"Dude a legend is retiring. Stand up and applaud instead of trying to become a main character," a fan said.
"You probably wouldn’t have gotten to that Wimbledon final had that actually happened," another wrote.
"He respects the decision of a legend and has a lot of luck in his new era," one said.
Kyrgios also penned a laudatory note for Nadal after he announced his retirement.
"He was a motivation" - Nick Kyrgios on Rafael Nadal
Nick Kyrgios admired Rafael Nadal in a message on X, reminiscing about the Spaniard motivating him.
"Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa. I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for, he was a motivation - I guess an inspiration. F**k - it’s true- people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people, damn…" Kyrgios wrote.
Kyrgios and Nadal have faced each other nine times on tour, with the latter holding a solid 6-3 lead in their head-to-head. Their last encounter was set for the 2022 Wimbledon Championships' semifinals, but Nadal's withdrawal allowed Kyrgios to advance to the final.
Before that, the 22-time Major champion had defeated Kyrgios in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Indian Wells Masters.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
