Rory McIlroy Posts Heartfelt Message To 'Hero' And 'Inspiration' Rafa Nadal Following Tennis Icon's Retirement
The Spanish tennis player has left the game after 22 Grand Slam victories - and four-time Major winner McIlroy joined in with the messages of congratulations


Rory McIlroy has posted a heartfelt message of congratulations to Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal after the latter played his final event before retirement on Tuesday.
Nadal is the proud owner of 22 tennis grand slam titles - a record 14 of which were achieved at the French Open - across a 23-year career and walked away from the sport following his nation's defeat to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals earlier this week.
The 'King of Clay' managed 92 ATP-level singles victories, 63 coming on his preferred surface, as well as an Olympic gold medal and retires as the second-most successful men's singles player ever behind one of his three great long-time rivals, Novak Djokovic.
Messages of appreciation from all manner of huge sporting names had been flooding in for Nadal in the days surrounding his last competitive match, with good friend McIlroy leading the golf support via a social-media post of his own.
Nadal - who was born in Mallorca, Spain - has known McIlroy for years and even text the World No.3 immediately after his US Open runner-up finish back in June.
Asked if any of his celebrity friends had offered words of support after a brutal end to the Major, McIlroy said: "Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th hole, but both of them got in touch very, very quickly."
Both former World No.1 players for large parts of their career, McIlroy revealed in a story on his Instagram in the hours after Spain's Davis Cup exit that Nadal was "a hero" and "an inspiration" to him and that he hopes to see the legendary left-hander out on the golf course before too long.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
McIlroy posted: "Rafa... From watching you win your first grand slam in 2005 to watching you win your last in 2022, you have been a hero of mine and an inspiration to how I approach my own career. You will be so missed and tennis won't be the same without you.
"Congratulations on one of the finest sporting careers of all time. See you on the course soon! Your friend, Rory."
McIlroy is a huge tennis fan himself and was spotted in the crowd at Flushing Meadows earlier this year as Taylor Fritz defeated Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semi-finals.
Welcome, @McIlroyRory 👋 pic.twitter.com/wMJfYH4Du4September 7, 2024
Meanwhile, Nadal played golf right-handed in between dominating tennis tournaments with his left hand for years, and was a seven-handicapper during his early 20s.
But while Nadal may have said goodbye to professional sport, McIlroy is still very much at the peak of his powers - highlighted by picking up a sixth Race To Dubai title last weekend.
Revealing he still believes there is another decade left in his career yet, McIlroy remains dedicated to hunting down more Majors championships as well as surpassing Colin Montgomerie as the most successful male European golfer ever to play the game.
Rory McIlroy with the Harry Vardon trophy
Speaking at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday evening, the 35-year-old said: "I've come this far, I might as well try and get to eight or nine [Race To Dubai titles}.
"Getting to six and three in a row, and prioritising The Race to Dubai and DP World Tour and trying to achieve something that no one else in the game has achieved if I am to surpass Monty.
"But I've got a good ten years left, I think. Look, again, the other thing is, who knows what the world of golf looks like in a few years' time. But as long as The Race to Dubai is happening and there's an Order of Merit and we're on this tour, I'm going to want it, yeah."
Deals season is upon us so be sure to check out our early picks for the best Black Friday golf deals as selected by our team of experts.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
'I Think We All Hoped It Would Have Been A Little Further Long, And That's No Secret' - Brooks Koepka's Echoes Recent Tough Love Towards LIV Golf
The five-time Major champion said progress is being made with the PIF-backed circuit after stating it was "quite far behind" its rivals on The Joe Pomp Show
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How You Can Play St Andrews Old Course In Reverse
You can win a tee time on the 'reversed' Old Course at St Andrews next year by shooting the lowest gross score over the virtual links this April
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'The First True Legend Of The Post-Tiger Woods Era' - NBC Analysts Pile Pressure On McIlroy With Bold Claims About His Masters Chances
NBC Sports analysts Rich Lerner, Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee revealed they all have the highest expectations for McIlroy at The Masters in 2025
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Odds Slashed Despite Northern Irishman Complaining Of Minor Elbow Issue
The Northern Irishman is being heavily backed by golf fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland ahead of his latest attempt at completing the career Grand Slam
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Issue With Right Elbow Ahead Of Latest Masters Challenge
The four-time Major winner revealed to the Golf Channel he has discomfort in his right elbow, less than two weeks before his latest attempt to win the Green Jacket
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘You Don’t Want 10-Year-Old Kids Punting Their Putters Across The Green Every Time They Miss A Putt’ - Rory McIlroy Says Tour Pros Have ‘Responsibility’ To Set Good Example After Recent Viral Clips Showcasing Players’ Frustrations
Speaking at the Texas Children's Houston Open, McIlroy explained how displaying emotion on the course shows the pros 'are human', but there's also a 'responsibility to set an example'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 Masters
The four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Give The Lad A Break. He’s A Very Good Caddie. Harry, Don’t Read The S****’ - Billy Foster On Critics Of Rory McIlroy’s Caddie
The experienced looper has spoken out and defended McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, with Foster claiming the 'criticism is not fair at all'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published