Sports: Rafael Nadal stunned the sporting world with the news of his retirement from professional tennis on Thursday. The legendary tennis player confirmed his decision to retire after the Davis Cup finals in November 2024, leading to emotional reaction from sports' biggest icons.

Roger Federer, against whom Nadal shared the biggest-ever sporting rivalry for almost two decades, reacted to Nadal's retirement post on Instagram. The 20-time Grand Slam winner said he always hoped Nadal would play forever, and playing against the Spaniard was an absolute honour.

"What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come," Federer wrote in his comment to Nadal's Instagram post. "Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour!" Nadal, 38, made his ATP tour debut in 2002 and was quick to form a rivalry with Roger Federer. The duo went on to form one of the fiercest sporting rivalries which lasted till Federer's retirement at the end of the 2022 season. Nadal notably outperformed Federer with 24 wins in 40 men's singles encounters between them. 

But Federer proved too strong for Nadal in their last eight meetings with seven wins, including a famous 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph in the last encounter at the Wimbledon 2019 semi-final. However, Nadal joined the Team Euro to play alongside Federer in his retirement match in the Laver Cup 2022 where they featured in the men's doubles against USA's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. 

Meanwhile, the recently retired legendary footballer Andres Iniesta, who led Spain to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also reacted to Nadal's retirement post. Sporting icons Cristiano Ronaldo, Coco Gauff and Andy Roddick also posted emotional notes to congratulate Rafael Nadal for his historic achievements in tennis.