Rory McIlroy has paid tribute to Rafael Nadal following the Spaniard’s retirement (Image: GETTY)
has paid an emotional tribute to on social media following his retirement from tennis. The 38-year-old played the final match of his career on Tuesday .Nadal is the second-most successful men’s singles player of all time, behind only his long-term rival . He won the French Open a record-breaking 14 times, losing just four matches at Roland Garros over the course of his career.A number of celebrities and sporting figures paid tribute to Nadal after his last match on Tuesday, with McIlroy penning a heartfelt message to honour the veteran Spaniard.
Nadal played the final match of his career at the Davis Cup Finals on Tuesday (Image: GETTY)
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On , he wrote: “Rafa, from watching you win your first Grand Slam in 2005 to watching you win your last in 2022, you have been a hero of mine and inspiration to how I approach my own career.”You will be missed and tennis won’t be the same without you. Congratulations on one of the finest sporting careers of all time. See you on the course soon. Your friend, Rory.”McIlroy is a big tennis fan and was spotted in the crowd at Flushing Meadows earlier this year. He was one of the many celebrities in attendance as he watched Taylor Fritz defeat Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals.His admiration for Nadal goes both ways, with the tennis legend describing him as an inspiration before the Northern Irishman won the US Open in 2011.
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“For sure, Rory is an inspiration, I admire him a lot,” said Nadal. “I love watching Rory. What he’s doing is really something unbelievable. I met him in New York last year.”I love golf and follow almost every week the tour. He has probably one of the nicest swings in the world, if not the nicest. Always, I will be supporting him in the final round because I think he deserves the title.””He deserves to win a major because, in my opinion, right now he’s playing at a different level than the rest.”Earlier this year, McIlroy revealed that Nadal texted him after he threw away a golden chance to secure another US Open title. The 35-year-old was two strokes up with five holes to play but went on to make three bogies, ending his hopes of victory.Asked if any of his celebrity friends had offered words of support, : ” and Michael Jordan. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th hole, but both of them got in touch very, very quickly.”