Grand Slam winner and former world No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro claims that with Rafael Nadal’s retirement, “an era of tennis is going to end.”
Nadal has often said that this will probably be his final season of competition, although it is still unclear if he will compete in the French Open.
Although no official event or date has been scheduled for his departure, the 22-time Grand Slam winner is confirmed to compete in the Laver Cup in September and has his sights set on the Olympic Games this summer.
Del Potro, who gave up tennis in 2022 due to a string of injuries that plagued him throughout his career, is one of the many keen observers who will be following Nadal’s every move in Madrid over the next two weeks.
And in an interview with Punto de Break, the 2009 US Open champion expressed his belief that Nadal’s retirement—whenever it occurs—will mark a momentous shift for the game.
“I believe we have to start accepting that a period in tennis is coming to an end,” he stated.
Although Roger Federer is no longer with us, his legacy will always be remembered. Nadal is currently treating himself to the pleasure of retiring on his own and in his own style. I’m sorry to say that my health prevented me from doing it. Rafa performs some amazing things.
“Watching him play and witnessing his competitive spirit and energy is something special, and I’m not sure if we’ll see something like that in the coming years.”
“I’ll keep watching him on television.” I don’t watch tennis very much, but I do when Rafa or Novak play.
Del Potro and Rafael Nadal squared off 17 times, with the Spaniard coming out on top 11–6 each time.
Two semi-final matches—the 2009 US Open, where he took home the title, and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics semi-final—may have been the most memorable victories for the Argentine over the 22-time major winner.
Del Potro also thought back on “wonderful memories” of facing the Spaniard over their career, including their memorable Wimbledon quarterfinal match from 2018.
“As an Argentine in Brazil and against Rafa, the Rio match was emotionally very strong and spectacular,” he continued.
Another match I can still clearly recall is the 2009 US Open quarterfinals, although I also lost a match against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2018. Even though I lost that match, we hugged each other when it was over.
It was really moving, and when I look back at pictures of that game and that moment, I don’t care that I didn’t win—that moment already won.
“That embrace, the feeling, the supporters are more important than the outcome. I will never forget that day, and those are the wonderful memories I have of Rafa.
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