MALAGA, Spain (AP) – As Rafael Nadal retires from tennis, current and former players – from Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz and so many more – have been sharing their thoughts on what the owner of 22 Grand Slam titles meant to them and to their sport.
“He was pretty much the perfect role model for younger tennis players, for kids. And it´s been an honor to just get the chance to play him and to play someone who I obviously grew up watching. I mean, it´s crazy that it´s kind of just like an end of an era here.” – Taylor Fritz, this year’s U.S. Open runner-up and currently ranked No. 4.
“It´s been such an honor to see him play. I´ve been to his matches and watched him live. He´s a really special athlete who motivated me to fight for every point. His attitude is something … iconic.” – Elina Svitolina, three-time Grand Slam semifinalist.
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