France’s Moise Kouame celebrates winning his second round match against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo at the French Open tennis championship in Paris on May 28, 2026
| Photo Credit: Reuters

A change of guard is underway in the world of tennis, as the era of legendary players slowly gives way to a new wave of talented youngsters. The sport is on the cusp of an exciting transformation, with the next generation of stars ready to take centre stage and forge their own paths to greatness. For India, the year started on a sweet note, with veteran Rohan Bopanna reaching the summit where he stood apart from the rest of his competitors.

In January, Bopanna became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam title after tasting success with his partner Matthew Ebden at the Rod Laver Arena by lifting their maiden Australian Open men’s doubles title as a team.

The Indian-Australian duo managed to oust the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori with a straight-set win to etch their names in history in golden letters.

His success became a sight to behold, especially after he climbed to a career-best world No. 1 in the latest ATP Double Rankings following his special win.

The partnership saw its ups and downs and drew its final breath in November. Bopanna and Ebden announced the end of their successful two-year partnership.

The duo, who began playing together in January 2023, claimed significant titles, including the Australian Open Grand Slam title and ATP Masters 1000 trophies at Indian Wells (2023) and Miami Open (2024).

As fans bid adieu to the renowned pair, the world was not ready to embrace what was next to follow. Spain’s prized tennis star Rafael Nadal decided to have his last dance and bring the curtain down on his 23-year-old career as a professional tennis player.

With the final shot hit and the last racket laid to rest, the tennis world pauses to bid farewell to a legend, Rafael Nadal, who rewrote tennis history with his tenacious spirit, relentless dedication, and unmatched greatness, has played his final match.

One of the greatest to grace the sport, the “Spain’s Raging Bull” left an everlasting impression on his admirers and his rivals.

The King of Clay had his swansong in November during the Davis Cup and bowed out with 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open singles titles.

He also won the Australian Open twice in 2009 and 2022, Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010. He was also successful in the US Open, winning the title four times in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. In Roland-Garros, the Spaniard defended his crown 10 times and recorded a staggering 97 per cent win percentage.

His fierce competitiveness, sportsmanship, and humility have made him a beloved figure, transcending the sport itself.

Even after his retirement as a champion, role model, and ambassador, Nadal’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence the world of tennis for years to come.

Before Nadal’s retirement, the two-time Olympic gold medal winner Andy Murray also called his time. In his decorated career, Murray lifted 46 singles titles.

Murray won his first Olympic gold medal in 2012 after defeating Roger Federer in the final. Four years later, he bagged his second at Rio by beating Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro. The Briton tennis star’s three Grand Slam titles include two at Wimbledon (in 2013 and 2016), and one at the US Open (in 2012).

In a year where memorable careers met their end, some icons lived their dreams. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic turned his ultimate dream into reality by winning his first Olympic gold, completing prestigious ‘Golden Slam’, by overcoming Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In a clash between the experienced tennis icon and the young Alcaraz, who brims with talent, Djokovic realised his ultimate dream by getting his hands on the first Olympic gold medal of his illustrious career.

While Alcaraz savoured defeat, he found some solace in defending his Wimbledon title before landing in Paris. Alcaraz won his second consecutive Wimbledon title after beating Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) at the centre court in London in July. The Spaniard became only the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.

Along with Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner was another budding talent who made a case for being the next big thing in tennis. He kicked off the year perfectly after winning the Australian Open against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set encounter. The Italian player defeated the final match by 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-3.

He topped his success in Australia by defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States in the final with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, and 7-5 to lift his first US Open title.

Towards the end of the year, Sinner made history in the ATP Finals by becoming the first Italian champion in the tournament’s 55-year history following his comprehensive victory over Taylor Fritz.

Retiring tennis superstar Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in a Davis Cup quarter-final singles rubber on Tuesday as the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead against Spain. The 22-time Grand Slam winner will call time on his career in professional tennis at the end of Spain’s participation in the tournament in Malaga, after two injury-ravaged years. Doubts hung over Nadal’s involvement until the official announcement from team captain David Ferrer confirmed he would play in the first singles rubber of the opening finals clash.

The 38-year-old appeared emotional during the Spanish national anthem, and fans filled the arena with chants of “Rafa, Rafa,” when it ended. Nadal had won his last 29 Davis Cup singles matches out of 30 played — after debuting in the tournament in 2004 — and both of his prior clashes with the Dutchman.

Any initial jangling nerves on the veteran’s part were settled when he came from 15-30 down to hold the first game. World number 80 Van de Zandschulp double faulted three times running in his first service game at 40 love up, but also managed to steady himself.

No doubt with his diminished physical condition in mind Nadal, ranked 154th in the world, attempted to keep points short, with big serves and occasional flashes of his lethal forehand, followed by a classic fist pump and roar.

Van de Zandschulp looked to put Nadal on his backhand and the Spaniard struggled to return, with the indoor hard-court tournament a far from ideal surface for the record 14-time Roland Garros winning ‘King of Clay’.

The Dutchman opened up two break points at 4-4 and took the second with a fine cross-court winner to claim the lead, and then converted his second set point to dampen Spanish spirits.

Giving everything

Nadal fought back from 0-30 down at the start of the second set but could not convert it into a hold and his opponent secured the first break when the Spaniard went long, consolidating to ramp up the pressure.

Down a set and a break, Nadal, hunting for a foothold, survived heavy pressure on his serve in the third game for a nervy hold that led to the loudest roar of the night.

Van de Zandschulp denied Nadal the chance to gain momentum by holding and then broke for a second time to take a 4-1 lead with another cross-court winner after a tense rally which left the Spaniard no chance.

Nadal showed his never-say-die spirit by claiming a break back in the sixth game, converting his third break point to carve out a sliver of hope, which grew when he held to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Spaniard survived a break point and claimed back-to-back games for the first time in the match as he gave everything in what could prove his final match.

Van de Zandschulp held, finishing the eighth game with two blistering aces and was left serving for the match after Nadal followed suit. Nadal went long to concede match point and then hit a shot into the net to hand his Dutch opponent victory.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz faces the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor in the second rubber to try and keep Spain’s Davis Cup dream alive and prolong Nadal’s farewell.

The winner will face Germany or Canada in the semi-finals.

Rafael Nadal Farewell Match Live Streaming Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live Telecast© AFP

One of the greatest sportsmen of all time, Rafael Nadal, prepares to say ‘au revoir’ to the game that made him a legend. The man who dominated the French Open as if it was his backyard, draws curtains to an illustrious career with the Davis Cup finals 2024. Seeing Nadal hold the tennis racquet in his hand for one final time as a professional, the entire sporting fraternity is emotional. While the sporting world is bound to miss him as he moves from the game, there isn’t a rival of his who is going to enjoy his exit. Roger Federer, arguably the biggest rival Nadal has faced on the tennis court, penned an emotional note as the 38-year-old prepares for his final showdown in the court.

In his nearly 600-word post, Federer recalled facing Nadal for the first time on the tennis court, when a boy from Mallorca stepped into the clay court and made it his own. Here’s his post:

Vamos,

@RafaelNadal!

As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me-a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game-even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique-it was so you.

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!

As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I…

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.

OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was-until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you-about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday-it wasn’t just hype.

We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens-historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud.

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much-like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.

And then there was London-the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side-not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.

Rafa that!

Best always, your fan,

Roger

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal is aiming to cap his emotional farewell from tennis with another Davis Cup triumph in Malaga next week. Nadal, 38, has battled injuries over the past few years and the extent to which he can compete for his country is unknown, but all eyes will be on the 22-time Grand Slam winner. The veteran led Spain to victory in Madrid five years ago — the last time they won the trophy and Nadal’s fourth. However, he admitted Saturday that his role in Malaga may be limited to doubles rather than singles.

“First off, we’ll have to see how I feel in training and, if I really don’t feel I have a chance to win the singles, I’ll be the first to not want to play,” Nadal said in comments to the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET).

“If I don’t feel ready, I’ll be the first to speak to the captain (David Ferrer). I’ve already told him on a few occasions not to make any decisions based on the fact that it’s my last week as a professional tennis player.”

French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be Spain’s leading player and his presence offers Nadal a real chance of retiring on a high note.

“Probably one of the most special tournaments that I’m going to play. Last tournament of Rafa, I’ll be able to be next to him in the last moments on a tennis court for him,” said Alcaraz who played alongside Nadal in doubles at the Olympics in Paris this year.

“I think it’s most important for Rafa, for his last tournament. I really want him to retire with a title. It’s going to be really, really emotional and a really special tournament for me.”

Representing Spain, Nadal won singles gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and triumphed in the doubles at Rio 2016 alongside Marc Lopez.

But former world number one Nadal’s injury setbacks in the twilight of his career have seen his ranking slump to 155.

The last of his 92 career titles came with his 14th French Open and 22nd major at Roland Garros in 2022.

He hasn’t played a competitive singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics in July while in 2023 he played just four times.

Many are hoping for Spain and Alcaraz to meet world number one Jannik Sinner’s Italy, the defending champions, in the final, as the two young stars continue to build on a gripping rivalry.

Record 32-time champions the United States have selected a strong team spearheaded by US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and are also among the most likely contenders.

Nadal clashed with Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia at the “Six Kings Slam” exhibition in October, losing in straight sets, but they will be fighting for the same goal in Andalucia.

The start of the Billie Jean King Cup was delayed because of a weather alert in the Malaga region, in the wake of devastating floods in the east of Spain.

Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, said the flooding in Valencia increased his motivation to help his country triumph.

“I’m here to give my grain of sand because playing for Spain is the biggest thing that there is for me,” he continued.

Tennis greats and stars from other sports are among those clamouring to watch Nadal’s farewell, with career rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer among those expected to attend.

Spain face the Netherlands on Tuesday in the last eight, with the winner taking on Germany or Canada in the semi-finals.

Italy defence

Italy ended a 47-year wait to win the Davis Cup again a year ago as they beat Australia in the final with Sinner their key player and are favourites to defend their title.

The Australian Open and US Open winner is still waiting for an appeal from the World Anti-Doping Agency against him to be resolved. 

Sinner twice tested positive for traces of an anabolic steroid in March but the International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared him of blame in August.

Italy face Argentina in the quarter-finals with the winner taking on the United States or Australia.

Captained by Lleyton Hewitt, Australia were runners-up last year and are second only to the US in Davis Cup triumphs, winning the title 28 times.

The final takes place next Sunday with all matches held at the indoor hard-court Martin Carpena arena.

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Six Kings Slam Live Streaming: Where To Watch© AFP

Rafael Nadal, who announced his retirement at the age of 38 on Thursday, was not only the “king of clay” but also reigned on every other tennis surface as he accumulated 22 Grand Slam titles. Nadal’s even-keeled and humble demeanour, on and off the court, endeared him to fans. While his defining quality was a grim ability to tough out marathon wins, he clearly enjoyed playing and competing and showed humility in victory and poise in defeat. As the tennis great prepares to draw curtains to his illustrious career, one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo also wrote a heartwarming post on Nadal’s retirement.

“Rafa, what an incredible career you have had! Your dedication, passion, and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and be able to call you a friend. Congratulations on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!,” Ronaldo wrote.

In an emotional post announcing his retirement, Ronaldo said: “The important legacy is that all the people I have met during these 20 years have a good human memory of me. At the end of the day, the personal issue, education, respect and the affection you can treat people with comes before the professional issue, because that is what remains.”

Nadal was born on the island of Mallorca in June 1986. His father Sebastian was a businessman, his mother Ana gave up working to raise her children.

Nadal turned professional at 14 and made his Wimbledon debut in 2003 at 17. At 18, Nadal was part of the Spanish team that won the Davis Cup, playing, and winning, one singles match in the final.

Nadal won his first major title at his first French Open, two days after turning 19. He won his last, a 14th Roland Garros title, 17 years later.

As a youngster, he played in tank tops that showed off his bulging arms and kept his hair in place with bandanas.

Nadal amassed titles despite playing in an era which also boasted Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, tennis’s dominant “big three” for more a decade.

His scrappy baseline style contrasted with the elegance of Federer and the all-round game of Djokovic.

Federer faced Nadal in 14 Grand Slam finals winning only four, the Swiss player ending his career with 20 majors, two less than the Spaniard.

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal after the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday. Nadal will be retiring from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season, announced the sporting icon on social media. The 38-year-old’s last professional event will be the Davis Cup Final, which will be started from Malaga from November 19-24, as per ATP. Taking to Instagram, Bumrah posted a story paying tribute to the tennis great, saying, “Grit. Determination. And an absolute fighter. Congratulations on a truly remarkable career.”

In a video posted on his official X handle, Nadal said as quoted by ATP’s official website, “Hello everyone, I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I do not think I have been able to play without limitations.”

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make, but in this life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he added.

A 92-time tour-level champion, including 22 grand slam titles, spent 209 weeks at number one in the ATP Rankings. Nadal has been one of the greatest players to have played the sport and a part of the ‘Big Three’ of modern tennis along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal has won a record 14 French Open crowns, which still remains an unmatched feat to this day.

Nadal’s illustrious career will conclude at the home soil of Malaga, where he will be playing for the Spanish Davis Cup, which includes the young sensation, Carlos Alcaraz. The host nation will be playing its quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands on November 19.

Nadal, who also has a 12-7 win-loss record this year, thanked his ATP Tour rivals, his team and family (including uncle and former coach Toni Nadal). Despite not being able to compete at top level consistently for the past two seasons, his passion and dedication to the sport never fell. He also said that his son, Rafael has kept him playing for so long.

“To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue,” said the Spaniard.

“Finally, you, the fans. I cannot thank you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment.”

“Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon,” he concluded.

File image of Richard Gasquet.© AFP