The final moments of an exciting career for the Spanish legend Rafael Nadal have arrived. The tennis great has announced that the Davis Cup final knock out phase, starting today at Malaga in Spain, will be his last appearance on the competitive field, virtually putting an end to his illustrious career. ‘All good things must come to an end” says a famous quote that comes to mind at this juncture as the great man who had captured the imagination of tennis fans the world over for over two decades prepares to say good bye. Indeed, the glittering phase of this classic player, who along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic formed the famous ‘big three’ in the tennis world and delighted with their court craft, healthy rivalry and sharing of the grand spoils of major tournaments, will surely be etched in golden letters in the history of tennis.

Federer left, leaving a void and with Nadal’s decision to pull the curtains, it will be tennis that will be poorer for it. Djokovic is still there of course and indeed new talents are springing up like Carlos Alacaraz himself for instance, considered eminent enough to take over from Nadal and keep the Spanish legacy continuing in all glory. Yet, old is gold as they say and players like Nadal come once in a generation and tennis fans of all ages will testify what scintillating experiences he had given them all with his tennis artistry and more. That his record 14........

© Mathrubhumi English