Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem star in the withdrawals at the end of 2024 | ATP Tour

The Best of 2024

Nadal and Thiem star in retirements at the end of 2024

Read Part 2 of our recall special

December 08, 2024

At the close of another stellar season, ATPTour.com launches the ‘Best’ of the year special, which will address the most exciting rivalries, matches, comebacks and surprises of the season. Icons like Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem headline Part 2 of the retirement special, which opened with Andy Murray in Part 1.

Rafael Nadal
It was a farewell for more than just a national hero or a tennis icon, a sports legend left. Nadal played the last professional tournament of his career in November in the Davis Cup Final 8. The Spaniard, surrounded by his teammates, friends and family, shed some tears addressing the public during the ceremony on the track.

One of the best players in the history of the ATP Tour, Nadal played his last match against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. Surrounded by chants of ‘Vamos Rafa’ full of emotion, Nadal worked hard until the last ball of his career, leaving his soul in the match that put the finishing touch to a golden path.

“It was an emotional day,” Nadal said after the match. “I knew it could be my last match as a professional tennis player. The moments before the game have been emotional, complicated to manage in general. There are many emotions. I have tried to do my best.”

Nadal’s sportsmanship and kindness in both victory and defeat endeared him to fans around the world. His humility was once again present in his farewell speech. “I am the one who must thank… so many people that it is difficult to know where to start.”

Simply thank you ❤️💛❤️

Your legacy will always be remembered 🥹#RafaAlways | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/ZZaGPb9AIp

— ATP Tour en Español (@ATPTour_ES) November 19, 2024

The two decades of his career were defined by unparalleled excellence and enduring determination. The Spaniard established records that may never be surpassed, such as the 14 titles won at Roland Garros. Nadal has remained No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for 209 weeks, winning 1,080 matches and lifting 92 titles.

A good handful of his records could remain for eternity. Nadal won an ATP Tour title for 19 consecutive seasons (2004-22) and achieved 23 victories against current world No. 1. It was present in the Top 10 for 912 consecutive weeks (2005-23). At the ATP Masters 1000 level, Nadal established a record of 410 victories and is the second player with the most titles (36).

The Spaniard became the first man in history to complete the ‘career Grand Slam’ twice. He also won two Olympic gold medals (singles in Beijing 2008, doubles in Rio 2016 with M. López) and helped Spain win five Davis Cups.

“As a tennis player, I would like to be remembered for the results I had. As a person, I would like to be remembered as a good example by being respectful, having good values ​​and being a good person,” Nadal said earlier this year. Read Nadal’s Special Report

Dominic Thiem
The Vienna tournament had an immense atmosphere in 2024, with all the seats occupied to say goodbye to the great local idol.

“When I think about my career, the main emotions are enormous gratitude for everything I was able to experience,” Thiem said. “I was fortunate to stay healthy for most of my career and be able to fulfill almost all of my dreams. I never expected to have a career like this when I was a kid. “All I wanted was to be a professional tennis player, with everything that entails.”

The Austrian won the 2020 US Open and reached three other Grand Slam finals. Thiem won 17 singles titles, reached No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings and remained in the Top 10 for nearly six years.

Thiem achieved success in one of the most demanding eras in tennis, with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic set at the top end of the sport. The only players who accumulated a better Lexus ATP Head2Head balance than Thiem against the Big Three were… the members of the Big Three.

A key victory for Thiem came against Federer at Indian Wells in 2019. It was a spectacular final, one that Dominic will never forget. “Roger was playing with me,” the Austrian assessed in the early stages of the match. However, Thiem found his best level to achieve what was then the biggest trophy of his career. It was the only ATP Masters 1000 he would conquer.

Thiem’s ​​victory in the 2020 US Open final came after coming back two sets against Alexander Zverev. The Austrian reacted and beat the German 7-6 in a tense fifth set for both players. The atmosphere was peculiar at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as the tournament was held in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic without fans in the stands. There were no cheers that carried the players away. Instead, it was a silent spectacle that remains one of the greatest moments in Thiem’s ​​career. Read Thiem Retirement Special

Wesley Koolhof
The Dutchman knows what it takes to reach the final of the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings and be crowned on the sport’s biggest stages. Koolhof won six ATP Masters 1000 titles – three with Nikola Mektic and three with Neal Skupski – as well as the 2023 Wimbledon trophy (w/Skupski).

Koolhof qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals four times, winning the season-clinching event in 2020. This year in Turin, Koolhof was honored for his successful career. Wesley last represented the Netherlands in the Davis Cup before ending his professional career.

“I don’t know what will happen next, but after taking a break, I would love to stay involved with tennis,” Koolhof said. “In this world you meet a lot of people, tennis has always been part of my life. I will see what the future holds for me, you will see me somewhere.”

Pablo Cuevas
The Uruguayan with the highest ranking in history (No. 19 in 2016), Cuevas collected unforgettable shots against any player. The South American was an artist when hitting the ball, as evidenced by his six ATP Tour trophies. On his way to the crown in Rio de Janeiro 2016, Cuevas surprised Rafael Nadal in an epic three-set semifinal. It was the second of his three wins against a Top 5 throughout his career.

Cuevas, who announced his retirement in September, also won nine doubles trophies, including 2008 Roland Garros alongside Luis Horna. In addition, he added two ATP Masters 1000 doubles trophies: Rome 2015 with David Marrero and Monte Carlo 2017 with Rohan Bopanna.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t know what it meant to be a tennis player. I didn’t have a ranking in mind that I wanted to achieve, I just wanted it to be my job,” Cuevas said. “Later, it grew, being Top 100, Top 50, winning tournaments, but it was always something beyond the numbers. It was about enjoying whatever he did, he was able to do it during this journey.” Read Cuevas’ Retirement Tribute

Filip Krajinovic
The Serbian fought back tears during his last match in the US Open qualifying phase. Krajikovic reached a career-high ranking of No. 26, played in five ATP Tour finals and beat four Top 10 rivals. The highlight of his career is the final at the 2017 Rolex Paris Masters, his only final in a ATP Masters 1000 event.

“I feel very proud. “I am very proud of my career,” Krajinovic said. “The only thing that saddens me a little is not having won a [título] ATP. I played five finals, five tough finals. But I would have signed everything else, I played the way I wanted. I had good results and my best position was No. 26, something I value. I leave the tracks happy, because I think I did well.”

Donald Young
In the last tournament of his career, the American partnered Taylor Townsend en route to the mixed doubles final at the US Open. The former No. 38 in the PIF ATP Rankings capped a career in which he reached two ATP Tour finals. Born in Chicago, Young caused a sensation by signing the world No. 1 in the junior category, a milestone he achieved at just 15 years old.

The left-hander added victories against figures such as Andy Murray, Gael Monfils and Tomas Berdych. On two occasions he reached the round of 16 of the US Open and faced all the members of the ‘Big Three’ in Grand Slam tournaments. Young will always remember his steps on the circuit.

“It changed the course of my life and my family’s life,” Young said. “For that, I will always be infinitely grateful to tennis.”