From Roger Federer to Rafael Nadal, an open lover letter as retirement nears

Retirements and farewells are emotional. Rafael Nadal is himself trying to put a cap on it, saying he is not too sure whether he will play singles or even doubles from tonight in the Davis Cup action spread over the next few days. In the past, there may have never been a doubt on Rafa playing. Now there is, and it has everything to do with his fitness levels. Deep down, inside, Rafa wants this not be about his last hurrah, his farewell. This is Davis Cup, a theatre which produced so many classics in the past where a player transforms himself into a beast even if he is an underdog. That is one reason why people loved the Davis Cup, before it got badly diluted by the ITF (International Tennis Federation).

Never mind, despite the Davis Cup week, one man is not trying to appear weak, in terms of emotions. Rafa wants the focus to be on Spain and how he can be a part of the side. The first set of matches are from tonight, and he may not even step on court. Had it been any other player, he may have wanted to be in the middle, sample the ambience and the energy for one last fling. Rafa has kept it almost like a suspense as this is not about himself but being part of a Spanish team which has someone as brilliant as rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

It is pensive in the last few days when retirement looms, whatever be the walk of life, an office or sports as a professional athlete. Of course, Davis Cup is all about national commitment and eventually wanting to shine for the country. Rafa has done that at every layer, every level. That has been defined by his 22 Grand Slam title wins. That it came to a screeching halt from January 2023 at the Australian Open is sad. His body, which had been sculpted, started giving away. He tried battling it, injuries, rehab, strength and conditioning, yet it kept falling apart. He took a full year off and came back in 2024. Alas, the mind was willing and his heart but the body did not cope. The big dream was to peak at the Paris 2024 Olympics and that turned out to be sad for Rafa was not the script fans wished.

How could Rafa keep pushing hard, knowing fully well that his body had been battered and bruised? For someone who had changed the very definition of tennis into a physical sport where fitness, running lateral and front and back was a treat to watch, Rafa had made it almost a ballet. If anyone says he did not look graceful, he or she must be a sadist. Yes, he was physical but that physicality was never ugly, it was something which defined how hard he had worked, just like Novak Djokovic. Both have/had a voracious appetite for slogging and making tennis a game where fitness is so important. Interestingly, Novak is also now battling fitness issues, though he is not quitting right now.

So, as fans were warming for Davis Cup action, lands the love letter from none other than RF (Roger Federer).  A letter which conveys a thousand emotions posted on social media is now trending. It takes a large heart to write a thank you note and it takes even more to accept and admit your rival was better and beat you more often. That defines the class of Federer, just like the famous Swiss chocolates which leave a lingering taste in your tongue. Federer is lavish in praise and at that same time grateful they could share so many contests on the tennis court -- hard, clay and grass. Each one of the contests was enriching for the fans. Alas, it all comes to a close, like a good book which you do not want to put down even if you are feeling sleepy.

When Federer retired in 2022, it was emotional, and tears were shed. When Sir Andy Murray walked off the court this year, again it was sad. For a man who had battled so much to return to the court and compete again, it was such a delight. The last few tournaments may have been bad for Murray but he tried hard.

Back to Rafa, one gets this nagging suspicion he wants to keep the emotions in check. And that is next to impossible, after reading the lovely note from Federer. Add to it Nike dropping a latest advertisement as a tribute of sorts to Rafa, it makes you so weak. If Rafa steps on court in the Davis Cup over the next few days, it would be nice. If not, replay all the magic he created, all the angles he conjured up and how he ate the court perimeters with steps which were so well measured and panther-like. And if anyone says he was not graceful, laugh at it. Left-handers have that unique ability to produce more angles, more geometry and creating sublime stuff. Thanks, Rafa. You will be missed.