Rafael Nadal's legacy is a relentlessness that inspired Carlos Alcaraz and plenty of others

For me, ... it’s difficult to accept that Rafael Nadal is going to retire, honestly.”

said Alcaraz, a 21-year-old Spaniard with four major trophies

Probably today the decision to put me on the court didn't work,

he admitted

It was not the case, I lost my match

Asked after the match if he was happy with his performance, Nadal was philosophical, saying

Throughout these 20 years you carried me on your shoulders, you helped me to win in the good moments and you pushed me to keep fighting through the bad ones,

he said

It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make,

said Nadal, who underwent surgery for a hip injury last April

The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment,

said the 22-time Grand Slam champion

This decision allowed us to stay active in our own business and get involved in the local community,

he wrote

There is life in retirement, and it's pretty good,

he said

My plan was to work until I was 65 or 70, but my wife apparently had a different idea,

he said

Casper Ruudseventh seed

Today I got to feel what it is like to play you and I know I’m not the first victim,

Ruud said

Novak Djokovicchampion

You feel like he’s impenetrable, he’s like a wall,

said Djokovic, perhaps his greatest rival of all

By the way, it's in some ways good maybe if that was probably my last match, nothing happens. I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle.”

After his streak came to an end, he said

I'll retire from the sport, ... but I will continue to be available for whatever's needed, and for being a good ambassador."

the Spanish sporting legend concluded

You know very well what you have meant for the tennis world, we will miss you a lot,

he said, while adding the 'Vamos, Rafa' chant, often sung to support Nadal,

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me — a lot. More than I managed to beat you,

Federer wrote in a statement on social media

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.”

He also added

The titles, numbers, they’re there. People probably know that,

Nadal said on the court after his final match

The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca. Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible. ... I have been very lucky,

Nadal said in an on-court, post-match ceremony to honor his retirement

I'm not here for retiring. I'm here to help the team win. It's my last week in a team competition, and the most important thing is to help the team. The emotions will come later,

said Nadal, wearing the squad's red polo shirt with a tiny red-and-yellow Spanish flag on the left sleeve

His last moments on court probably are going to be super special. Not (just) for me, but for everyone,

Alcaraz said