GRACIAS, Rafa!

 

THE holy trinity of men’s tennis has eventually turned into a one-man stand. Two of the greats who ruled the Grand Slams, taking their own turn to lord over millions of hearts, have found peace in the shadows. First Roger Federer bowed out in a graceful exit and now his bete noire Rafael Nadal Parera, too, has followed suit. Father Time has had his last word. FeDaloVic is now a term of the past. Rafa Nadal, the King of Clay who left an equal impression on every surface he walked on to, has responded to the call of his wearing muscles and battered body. At 38, Nadal will walk into the sunset after the last appearance in Davis Cup. With his retirement, men’s pro tennis will see the end of a golden era, something whose new dawn looks far away in the distant future. The decision to call time on his illustrious career was inevitable for Nadal. He was ready for a fight but was undone by a chronic foot injury. The heart was willing for another gladiatorial fight with Novak Djokovic after the Olympics battle in Paris but the body seemed unwilling. The master of returning from the brink had to take the tough call as the fans yearned for a bit more from the golden trinity. The Nadal story is not only about 22 Grand Slams , including 14 French Open titles and 92 tournament wins. Nor is it about the 209 weeks he remained at stretch as the World No 1.

 

The record has assured his place right in the top bracket of men’s tennis. But, he will be remembered and hailed for his ability to bounce back from the series of injuries he suffered over the course of his career. The superpower he packed in his strokes eventually became Nadal’s undoing. He knew the consequences but he was never willing to compromise with class and stature. The man, full of grit and gumption, will be sorely missed. Nadal’s great ability of rising from the ashes is documented in many of his triumphs, even on the grass of Wimbledon which looked reserved for Federer. He was not willing to be measured only as a master of clay, he was out to tame every surface before taking the battle to his opponent. The last ‘sufferer’ of Nadal’s tenacity was Daniil Medvedev on the hard court of Melbourne. The Australian Open final of 2022 will serve as the last reminder of Nadal’s undying, unyielding, unforgiving grit. From two sets and three break points down, Rafa Nadal had effected a turnaround that only Rafa Nadal could do. Nadal and Federer’s retirement now leaves Djokovic as the last fighter from the fantastic trio. Together, they took tennis to another level. Despite growing age they dominated the arena, turning tennis into a spectacle to relish. Their rule extended across courts, hardly leaving an opening for a new entrant to the top flank. Many challengers would now breathe easy as another warrior has downed his sword. But the legacy will remain, unconquered.