Roger Federer pens down an emotional farewell note for Rafael Nadal

After being rivals on the tennis court, Federer and Nadal's friendship has grown stronger over the years. Nadal announced that he will retire after the Davis Cup finals.


In the letter, Federer wrote, “Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies”.

Federer ended the letter for Nadal saying, “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. Rafa that! Best always, your fan.”

Nadal was just 18 — and yet to win a Grand Slam title — when he first moved into the top 10 of the ATP rankings on April 25, 2005. He remained there for 912 consecutive weeks, until March 19, 2023, nearly 18 full years, the longest run of appearances in the top 10 in the half-century-plus history of the computerized rankings in men's tennis.

That's just one of many records and key numbers associated with the 38-year-old Nadal's remarkable career, which will end after the Davis Cup Final 8. Nadal and Spain face the Netherlands in Tuesday's team competition's quarterfinals.

Here is a look at some of Nadal's statistics, according to the ATP and the International Tennis Federation:

— 22 Grand Slam titles, second among men to Novak Djokovic's 24

—14 championships at the French Open, the most at any Grand Slam tournament by a man or woman

—112-4 career win-loss record at Roland Garros

—A career Grand Slam, including four titles at the U.S. Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open

—29-1 in Davis Cup singles play entering Tuesday, a .967 winning percentage that is the highest for anyone who has played at least 15 matches

—.826 winning percentage in tour-level matches, second among men to Djokovic's .835

—1,080-227 career record in tour-level singles matches entering Tuesday gives him the fourth-most wins among men in the Open era, which dates to 1968, behind Jimmy Connors (1,274), Roger Federer (1,251) and Djokovic (1,124)

—92 titles, the fifth most among men in the Open era, trailing Connors (109), Federer (103), Djokovic (99) and Ivan Lendl (94)

—209 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings, the sixth-most ever

—Five years finishing at No. 1 in the rankings (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019) and eight years finishing at No. 2 (2005-07, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2020 and 2022)

—Two Olympic gold medals, in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016

—At least one tour-level title for 19 consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2022, tied with Djokovic

—23 victories against a man ranked No. 1 at the time, the most since ATP computerized rankings began in 1973

—63 clay-court titles, the most for a man in the Open era

—410 wins at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, tied with Djokovic for the most.

(With AP inputs)