'Inspiration' Nadal will be missed, expert says

Rafael Nadal will be a sore loss for tennis after the all-time great announced his retirement from the sport, an expert believes.

The legendary 38-year-old will play his last professional matches for Spain in the final of the Davis Cup in Malaga next month before hanging up his racket.

Baker, who has been a tennis coach for 26 years, has followed Nadal’s career since it began in 2001 aged 15.

“He’s an inspiration to all, especially to a left handed player like myself. He shows etiquette and sportsmanship in every way possible, a true gentlemen of the sport,” Baker said.

Nadal has suffered with chronic pain in his left foot and more recently, repetitive issues with his left shoulder, both knees and tendonitis.

In his announcement video posted to Instagram, Nadal said: “It has been some difficult years [..] I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”

The 22-time grand slam champion has missed competing at 18 majors due to his injuries.

Fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz praised his idol at the Shanghai Masters, saying: “Since I started playing tennis I looked up to him. Losing him will be difficult.”

Nadal and Alcaraz competed together in the 2024 Paris Olympics at Roland Garros.

Baker attended the event and said: “It was some extraordinary matchplay, I hope to see them play in the Davis Cup together again.”

They will play together one final time for Spain in Nadal’s Last tournament.

Former British number 1, Tim Henman, said: “The first Wimbledon final I ever commentated on was 2008, that was Federer v Nadal and is still the greatest match I’ve ever seen.”

Nadal was part of the ‘Big Three’ alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer commented on Nadal’s Instagram, saying: “Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour.”

Paige Buffham — Rafael Nadal at the practice courts at Wimbledon in 2018

Novak Djokovic also posted to his Instagram, writing: “Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.”

When asked about the Big Three, Baker said: “It’s the end of an era, but there is so much new talent coming through, we will still see some world class tennis being played across the tennis calendar.”