Did Novak Djokovic trigger the retirement of Rafael Nadal? Coach Carlos Moya reveals

Having etched his name as one of the greatest tennis players ever, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from the sport on October 10, 2024. The 38-year-old Spaniard claimed 22 Grand Slam titles across his 23-year-long career. Moreover, Nadal bagged the Roland Garros title a record 14 times, cementing himself as the undisputed ‘King of Clay.’ His illustrious career ran its course in 2024 when persistent injuries kept Nadal unavailable for most of the season. Nadal’s last appearance came at the Paris Olympics, where he faced a second-round exit against Novak Djokovic, who went on to win his first-ever Olympic gold medal.

"Paris Olympics defeat to Novak Djokovic was the final point": Carlos Moya on the retirement of Rafael Nadal

The anticipation of Nadal’s retirement gained momentum after his defeat to Novak Djokovic at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the Spaniard denied the rumors until he declared the Davis Cup Finals as the last tournament of his career. Days after Nadal’s retirement announcement, his long-time coach Carlos Moya opened up about the Spaniard’s decision. Moya, a former World No.1 player himself, said he will "mourn" Nadal’s retirement.

Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal became acquainted during their days playing junior tennis for Spain. The Spaniards eventually went on to rank at the top of the ATP rankings. Moya eventually joined Nadal’s coaching staff after his own retirement. Since 2016, Moya and Nadal won 8 Grand Slam titles together, including 5 Roland Garros titles, 2 US Open trophies, and a victory at the Australian Open. Additionally, Nadal has 2 Olympic gold medals—winning the men’s singles event at the 2008 Beijing Games and the doubles event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The undisputed King of Clay has not been at his best over the last two seasons, facing persistent injury concerns. In 2024, Nadal managed to play only 8 matches, missing out on the Australian Open and US Open, and suffering a first-round exit at the French Open. His struggles deepened when Novak Djokovic ended his Paris Olympics campaign early. In the previous year, Nadal had to forgo the French Open due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard had then predicted the 2024 season would be his last in the sport. However, Nadal’s coach Moya suggested that the Paris Olympics defeat against Djokovic was Nadal’s final cue to conclude his storied career.

“I think that if he had had a more favorable draw at Roland-Garros (French Open), we would have seen a necessary change of trend. That didn’t happen… The final point is the Olympic Games. He had a problem the day before and played against Djokovic in the second round. I think that was his last great hope, and that’s why he decided that it would be his last,” Moya said recently.

Rafael Nadal last won a major title in 2022 when he claimed the French Open. That same season saw the Spaniard secure his second Australian Open victory. However, 2022 marked the last of Nadal’s golden run on the ATP Tour. The following season, Nadal suffered a hip injury at the Australian Open, which was followed by other injuries. As a result, Nadal began to anticipate the end of his career, just a year after the retirement of his arch-rival, Roger Federer. Carlos Moya explained the challenges Nadal faced during the final phase of his ATP career.

"It has been a tough and difficult year, first for him because he has put a lot into making it a great year, but unfortunately his body has not let him do so," coach Carlos Moya said. "After the Olympics, he took a few weeks off, and I think that's when he realized that this was going to be his last year," he added.

Rafael Nadal reached the quarter-finals in the doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he paired up with Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard has now set the upcoming Davis Cup Finals as his last professional challenge. The event will kick off on November 19, with Spain facing the Netherlands in the quarter-finals at Malaga. With Nadal’s farewell from the sport, only Novak Djokovic, who recently played in the Shanghai Masters final, remains active from the ‘Big 3’ of tennis.