Andy Roddick haunted by ghost of 18-year-old Rafael Nadal as American revisits Davis Cup final battle in light of Spaniard's retirement announcement
Andy Roddick reflected on the 2004 Davis Cup final against Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard announced retirement. Nadal played a pivotal role in securing the victory for his nation at the prestigious event.
Nadal has been dealing with injuries for a long time, which severely affected his performance. He missed most of the 2023 season and has struggled to regain his form this year, with his best result being a finals appearance at the Nordea Open. The 38-year-old had said last year that 2024 might be his retirement year, considering the slew of injuries that consistently bothered him.
Going by his recent announcement, the 2024 Davis Cup finals in Malaga will mark the Mallorcan's final professional appearance. In an emotional clip shared across various social media platforms, Nadal cited years of struggles and physical limitations, as the reason for hanging up his racket. He also thanked his rivals, team, family, and fans for being a part of his incredible career.
A fan recently shared a clip from the 2004 Davis Cup finals on X, highlighting a match between Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick. At just 18 years of age, Nadal was selected by captain Jordi Arrese to face Roddick, who had defeated him in straight sets at that year's US Open. However, Nadal delivered a gritty performance, winning the match 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-2, playing a key role in Spain's victory.
"2004 Davis Cup final. Spain vs United States. World No.2 Andy Roddick leads the American team. In lieu of Juan Carlos Ferrero, who's struggling with confidence, captain Jordi Arrese pulls an 18-year-old Rafael Nadal out of the hat," the fan wrote.
The post later caught the attention of Andy Roddick, who reflected on Nadal's dominance during that match.
"I knew tennis earth was in a lot of trouble ….." he wrote.
Nadal, widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, won 22 Grand Slam titles during his illustrious career, the second highest by a male. The former World No. 1 also claimed 14 French Open titles, the most by any player, and secured 92 tour-level titles. Additionally, the 38-year-old's achievements include four Davis Cup titles and holding the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for 209 weeks.
Andy Roddick extended his gratitude following Rafael Nadal's retirement announcement
Andy Roddick shared his heartfelt reaction following Rafael Nadal's recent retirement announcement. The 42-year-old expressed his appreciation for Nadal on social media, thanking him for creating fond memories.
"Great Rafa. @RafaelNadal Thanks for all the memories………. Thanks friend," Roddick posted on X (translated from Spanish).
The rivalry between Roddick and Nadal spanned ten matches, with Nadal holding a commanding 7-3 lead in their head-to-head. In addition to Roddick, notable tennis figures such as Jannik Sinner, Ons Jabeur, and Coco Gauff shared their heartfelt reactions to the Spaniard's retirement.