Patrick McEnroe explained how Rafael Nadal has impacted tennis ahead of the Spaniard’s retirement.
The 38-year-old has just a month left as a professional tennis player after announcing he will exit the sport after the Davis Cup finals in November.
The event will run from November 19 to 24 in Malaga, Spain, allowing Nadal the chance to bid farewell in front of his home fans.
He retires after producing an illustrious career and is indisputably one of greatest tennis players of all time.
Plenty of current and former players have shared some kind words about Rafael Nadal, who will retire at the end of the season.
Patrick McEnroe is one of the latest to pay tribute to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, during an interview on Tennis Channel.
One things said often about Nadal was his excellent attitude, commitment to the game, and fighting for every point as though it were his last.
McEnroe made similar comments, while also highlighting the impact he has had on the younger generation. “He is arguably the greatest competitor we have seen in tennis, maybe for sport in general – you have to put him up there,” the 58-year-old said.
“But he is so humble and such a great sportsman and example. I help run our John McEnroe tennis academy in New York with my brother and all the kids over the years who show up with the Rafa headband or his racket.
“I tell them you are probably not going to be able to hit the forehand like Rafa but you can learn from his attitude, which was 110% every time he went out on the court, no excuses, be humble, respect the game – which is why he never broke a racket – respect the opponent.
“All those guys, those three guys, were great at that and I think that they fed off of each other because I think they realise they were taking tennis to another level.”
All eyes will be on Malaga, Spain when Nadal and Team Spain look to win the Davis Cup for the first time since 2019. Nadal has an exemplary Davis Cup record, especially in singles competition. He has lost just one of his 30 career solo matches at the event.
But there is a possibility that the tennis icon could only feature in doubles competition. During Nadal’s press conference after losing to Carlos Alcaraz at the Six Kings Slam, he commented on if he will play singles at the final event of his career.
“If I am going to be ready for the Davis Cup. Emotionally I am sure I will be ready. In terms of physically and in terms of tennis level it remains a month,” he told reporters.
“I am going to be preparing for that and I am going to be trying to be in good shape to help the team to win. If I feel ready and the captain wants me ready then it’s going to be the captain’s decision.
“If I don’t feel ready for it then I am going to be the first one that will say I am not ready for the singles and let’s see if I can help in some ways.”
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