Rafael Nadal retires: Thoughts on “the son every mother would like to have”

When you think of Nadal, you think of Federer – and also of Roland Garros.

Nadal won the title there 14 times and is a permanent presence in the form of a 3 m high steel statue.

Nadal named his two favorite triumphs in 2006 and 2010 when speaking to the BBC ahead of the clay court major in 2015.

“2006 was a special year because I suffered a very serious injury at the end of the year (a very rare congenital condition in his left foot) and the doctors weren't very sure if I would be able to compete again at the highest level.” , he remembers.

“And obviously 2010 was pretty special after the loss in 2009.”

The loss to Sweden's Robin Söderling in the fourth round was Nadal's first defeat in Paris. It was a breathtaking moment, a shock heard around the world and one that only a select few can share.

The Nadal I met in interview rooms and players' areas was always very likeable. When the interview took place on camera, he shook hands with the entire crew, and often there was a hug for the stenographers who were busy writing down his thoughts.

We will miss the quizzical expression and raised left eyebrow as he answered questions.

We may not miss the slow game, but I'm already nostalgic for Rafa's routines.

The cuff that followed the tugging of his shorts; the lifting of his shirt from both shoulders; squeezing his nose and running his fingers through the sweaty hair above his ears.

And the two bottles that, after taking a sip of each, had to be carefully put back in exactly the same place, a few centimeters apart.