What's happened
Rafael Nadal is set to retire after the Davis Cup finals next month, concluding a legendary career. He will face Novak Djokovic in a third-place match at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, marking one last encounter between the two tennis icons.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Nadal's final matches will be at the Six Kings Slam, where he faces Djokovic one last time. Nadal expressed gratitude for his career, stating, 'I feel very well supported and loved all around the world.' Meanwhile, Alcaraz shared his mixed feelings about facing his idol, saying, 'Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone.' The South China Morning Post highlighted the financial stakes of the event, noting that each player is guaranteed a minimum of $1.5 million, with the winner taking home $6 million. This reflects the increasing commercialization of tennis, raising concerns about player workload as Alcaraz remarked, 'having even more events in the future will kill us.'
How we got here
Nadal announced his retirement on October 10, 2024, after a career filled with major titles, including Olympic golds. His final tournament will be the Davis Cup finals in Spain, where he will team up with Carlos Alcaraz.
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