At the 2005 French Open, Roger Federer congratulated Rafael Nadal after their semifinal. Now Federer is congratulating Nadal on his looming retirement — and a stellar pro career. Nadal is playing in the Davis Cup, his final tournament, on Tuesday. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Marton Fucsovics during the men's singles tennis competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics on July 28, 2024, in Paris. Nadal has announced he will retire from tennis following the Davis Cup finals in November. Manu Fernandez/AP hide caption
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand against Taro Daniel of Japan during a Second Round Match at the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2023 in Paris, France. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images hide caption
Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. to win in four sets 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. Michel Euler/AP hide caption
Frances Tiafoe of the United States celebrates after winning a point against Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in New York. Julia Nikhinson/AP hide caption
Rafael Nadal had hoped to win his 20th Grand Slam at this year's U.S. Open, which would have tied him for most men's wins in that category. Hector Vivas/Getty Images hide caption
Rafael Nadal brandishes the spoils of his U.S. Open final victory over Russian Daniil Medvedev on Sunday. The Spaniard's win in New York City — his fourth U.S. Open title — gives him 19 career individual grand slam wins, just one shy of rival Roger Federer's record. Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Stan Wawrinka during the final of the French Open. Nadal, who has dominated on clay in his career, did not leave the outcome in doubt for long. The Spaniard claimed his record 10th French Open title on Sunday. David Vincent/AP hide caption
Rafael Nadal throws his towel to a ball boy during his semifinal against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov at the Australian Open. Kin Cheung/AP hide caption
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland kisses the Australian Open trophy during the awarding ceremony after winning the men's singles final against Spain's Rafael Nadal on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. Xu Yanyan/Xinhua/Landov hide caption
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during their semifinal Friday at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. Aaron Favila/AP hide caption
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament Monday in New York. Charles Krupa/AP hide caption
Steve Darcis of Belgium, left, shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain Monday, after winning their first-round match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images hide caption
Spain's Rafael Nadal looks on during his Wimbledon loss to Czech Republic's Lukas Rosol in June. Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the French Open earlier today. Bernat Armangue/AP hide caption