Top tennis ace opens up about the ‘massive hole’ Rafael Nadal’s retirement will leave in the tennis world

Watching Rafael Nadal practice, Greg Rusedski couldn't help but reflect the somber feeling shared by many fans about the inevitable.

Top tennis ace opens up about the ‘massive hole’ Rafael Nadal’s retirement will leave in the tennis world

Rafael Nadal and Greg Rusedski (via Open Source/X)

British former professional tennis player Greg Rusedski has made his thoughts known regarding Rafael Nadal‘s retirement after watching his warmup session at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The exhibition tournament is Nadal’s first event since the Paris Olympics in August.

Nadal has been away from the court for the majority of this season, despite his comeback in January. The Spaniard kicked off his season at the Brisbane International but suffered an injury that forced him to withdraw from several tournaments. He returned to the court during the clay season at the Barcelona Open.

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However, despite winning over 60 titles on clay, his results didn’t go in his favor. He hasn’t played on another surface since the Summer Games, withdrawing from the US Open as well. Nadal recently decided to retire from the sport at the Davis Cup in November. Nevertheless, he is participating in an exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia.

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At the Six Kings Slam, the Spaniard was warming up for his match against Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. Alcaraz had beaten Holger Rune in a straight set to earn a place in the next. Seeing this, Greg Rusedski hailed Nadal for his intense warm-up despite being on the verge of retirement.

Watching one of the last warmups of Rafa. Intensity and motivation like always world class. He will be truly missed. Incredible records that will never be broken, especially his 14 slams at Roland Garros.

Greg Rusedski wrote on X

Nadal’s best run of form was witnessed at the Nordea Open. The 38-year-old reached his first final in two years but finished as runners-up.

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Greg Rusedski admits Novak Djokovic is greater than Rafael Nadal

Greg Rusedski recently shared his opinion about who is the greatest player between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Both players, alongside Roger Federer, dominated men’s tennis and competed fiercely against each other.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic posing for a picture before Paris Olympics match
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

I look at the numbers and what Novak has accomplished is phenomenal. 24 slams and counting. Getting the Olympic gold this year is the icing on the cake. He has won the Davis Cup. He has won Slams. Nadal is the greatest on clay and the second greatest of all time, just because of what he has accomplished.

Greg Rusedski said via DAZN

Djokovic and Nadal met 60 times in their career. However, it was the former who got better of the latter, leading 31-29 in their head-to-head record. Rusedski revealed the Nadal is the second greatest player, while Djokovic takes first in the list.

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Nadal last played Djokovic in the singles second round of the Paris Olympics. Djokovic won the tie in straight sets. Many are hoping for the rivals to meet one more time before the Spanish legend hangs his racket.