Rafa Nadal

Rafa Nadal, who turns 39 next month and retired after last season.

Roger Federer pens emotional note for retiring Rafa Nadal: ‘You challenged me in ways no one else could’ - read full text

Roger Federer pours his heart out for retiring Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard will play his last tournament as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup Finals between November 19 and 24.

Carlos Alcaraz relishing role in Rafa Nadal's career farewell in Davis Cup

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz said playing in Rafa Nadal's career farewell in the Davis Cup Final Eight will be the most special event he will play in his career.

Rafa Nadal to battle Novak Djokovic one last time at Saudi exhibition

Rafa Nadal will have one last chance to face old rival Novak Djokovic before the Spaniard calls time on his illustrious career with the pair set to meet at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia.

Roger Federer to Cristiano Ronaldo: Who said what at Rafa Nadal's retirement

Roger Federer, who is also Rafa Nadal's long time rival, led the tributes on social media, which included talismanic Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rafa Nadal says retirement not on his mind after losing season-opener

Nadal's preparations for his Australian Open title defence got off to a shaky start as Norrie beat him 3-6 6-3 6-4 to seal his first victory over the 36-year-old Spaniard in their fifth career meeting.

Roger Federer admits to last night nerves after emotional farewell

Although he was happy with his farewell address on Friday, Federer said he felt there were a few more words of thanks he needed to dole out to fans in other parts of the world.

Roger Federer retires after teaming with Nadal in last match

It's been a perfect journey,Federer said. I would do it all over again.

Sense of anti-climax as Nadal's reign ended by Djokovic

Nine-times champion Nadal had fitfully found some form after a horror opening four games against the rampant Djokovic, whose previous six encounters with the Spaniard at Roland Garros had all ended in despair, twice in the final.

Federer cruises, Wawrinka goes out at Indian Wells

World number two Federer launched his bid for a record fifth title at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with a clinical 6-4 6-2 victory over Argentina's Diego Schwartzman which lasted a little over an hour.

Berdych hammers Nadal to make Melbourne semi-finals

Berdych, who beat the virtually unstoppable and then six-times champion Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2010, had not beaten Nadal in 17 successive matches, tied for the record as the longest losing streak to another player.

Wawrinka leads big shake-up at top of rankings

In reaching the final after missing last year's tournament Nadal has cemented his world No. 1 ranking and will be hard to shift from the summit but below him the landscape is changing.

Rafael Nadal win may intensify 'all-time greatest' debate

A victory would make the Spanish left-hander the third man to win all four grand slam titles twice, joining Australians Rod Laver and Roy Emerson, and also draw him level with Pete Sampras on 14 career major titles.

Nadal in no rush to join the super-coach trend

The trend of hiring big names is not restricted to the top echelon of men's players, though. Japan's Kei Nishikori, France's Richard Gasquet and Croatia's Marin Cilic all have one also. Rafa Nadal, however, is in no hurry to join them.

Federer doesn't care about no.1 spot, says Nadal

Federer's decline has been well documented since 2011, the year he failed to win a grand slam for the first time since 2003. He suffered yet another below par performance this season, at best reaching the last four at the Australian Open -- the first time he has not made it to a major final since 2002

Big men's shocks at Wimbledon

Defending champion Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal's exit this week rank among the most surprising defeats at Wimbledon

Golden era inspires playful Djokovic to get serious

Lucky to be drawn on the other half of the draw to his 'Big Four' rivals - Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray - the world number one, Novak Djokovic dressed in pristine white from neck-to-toe, was in a reflective mood as he sat down for a chat with Reuters.

Vulnerable Nadal needs to find form against flashy Fognini

After two lacklustre performances and an out-of-character rant at organisers all eyes will be on Rafa Nadal to see if the claycourt matador or this week's vulnerable impostor shows up to face Fabio Fognini on Saturday.

Nadal crushes Federer, plays Berdych next

Rafa Nadal produced vintage form against an out-of-sorts Roger Federer, crushing the Swiss 6-4 6-2 in their heavily anticipated quarter-final at the BNP Paribas.

Nadal set for his first hardcourt test on comeback

Buoyant after a successful tournament run on clay in recent weeks, Rafa Nadal knows he will face the toughest test of his injury comeback at the BNP Paribas Open starting on Thursday.

Nadal to meet Nalbandian in Brazil Open final

Rafa Nadal battled to a 6-3 6-7 6-1 win over Argentine Martin Alund in Sao Paulo on Saturday to qualify for the Brazil Open final.

Give me more time before judging me, says Nadal

Rafa Nadal's worst defeat on a claycourt for nine years offered ammunition to the naysayers but the Spaniard says his recovery from knee injury should be judged over time.

Agassi amazed by quality in 'golden age' of men's game

Eight-times Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi has been amazed by the soaring quality of men's tennis since he retired and believes he would struggle to compete in what he believes is a "golden age" of men's tennis.

Nadal recovery on course, confirms return next month

Rafa Nadal has passed the latest medical tests on his injured knee, the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) said on Wednesday as the world number four confirmed he would return after more than seven months out at the Brazil Open next month.

Grind of tour takes toll on walking wounded

The unrelenting grind of the professional tennis tour moves back into high gear on Monday with an Australian Open shorn of Rafa Nadal and several players carrying niggling injuries into the draw.