Tennis world takes to social media to respond to sad Rafael Nadal news

Rafael Nadal is calling it quits. He announced his retirement from professional tennis on Thursday, and his final event will be the Davis Cup in late November. The last two years have not been great for him, but there is little argument he is one of the best tennis players ever.

His announcement has rightfully caused a lot of reaction on social media. Fans will long argue whether he is the best player ever or whether Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, or someone else is. He is undoubtedly the best clay-court player ever.

Fans were not the only people to respond on social media with appreciation for Nadal and sadness about his retirement announcement. Current and former players also reacted. A few examples are as follows.

Former and current players take to social media to respond to Rafael Nadal's retirement

Let's start with Alcaraz, Nadal's heir to the best player from Spain. He also will likely play doubles with Nadal at the Davis Cup. That would make for a natural handing off of the proverbial baton from one generation to the next. Alcaraz's post is translated below.

"From the child who watched you on television and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing alongside you at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympic Games! Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable! I have enjoyed you very much and I will miss you very much when you leave after the Davis Cup, Rafa!"

Jabeur is one of the classiest players in professional tennis. When she speaks, she does so with forethought and heart. She truly did speak for all of us in this post.

Laver clearly is alluding to Andy Murray's retirement from earlier this year as well here. Still, the Australian great calling Nadal a "bloke" is extremely funny. One does have to wonder how many Grand Slams Laver might have won in a later era, though. He might have gotten to 20 or more as well.

Nadal was always open to helping other players, of course. His tennis academy in Spain is proof of that. Sinner was likely helped by a short training session with the Spaniard.

Great praise from Stubbs. She is also a classy individual just like Nadal and Jabeur. We should all be lucky enough to have someone tell us that they were happy to be in our presence.

When Chris Evert goes on at length about you, you know you are special. Evert also knows a thing or 18 about winning majors and handling retirement. If Nadal needs any advice of how to deal with life post-playing tennis, she is the one.

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