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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Nadal retired from tennis aged 38</li><li>Tributes from sporting world pour in</li><li>Beckham calls him 'most amazing player'</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

David Beckham gives sporting sendoff to 'unique, one of a kind' Rafael Nadal after tennis legend announces retirement

<p>Following Nadal's retirement — <a href="https://www.skysports.com/tennis/video/12110/13231307/rafael-nadal-retires-from-tennis-i-leave-with-peace" target="_blank">announced yesterday with an emotional video</a> — the former England and Manchester United star took to Instagram to post a heartfelt tribute to the Spanish tennis legend, calling him "one of a kind".</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/stories/davidbeckham/3475856871708598474/" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Beckham first met Nadal back when he played for Real Madrid in the 2000s and since then, the former Galactico has been pictured with the Spaniard on several occasions. In 2022, a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wimbledon/video/7251170086319377690?lang=en" target="_blank">video went viral of Beckham reacting</a> to an incredible Nadal point at Wimbledon.</p><p></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Beckham <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/davidbeckham/3475859293289907221/" target="_self">posted multiple images of Nadal</a> on Instagram, describing him as "unique" and "one of a kind". He added: "Congratulations on an incredible career... the most amazing player but more importantly the most amazing person."</p>

WHAT BECKHAM SAID

<p>The all-time tennis great will take part in his final Grand Slam tournament next month, when the Davis Cup rolls around. Beckham was one of many in the football world who admired the athlete - <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-pays-tribute-incredible-rafa-nadal-announces-retirement-tennis-real-madrid/blt163acc49a2abc4cc" target="_blank">Cristiano Ronaldo also posted a tribute to Nadal</a> following his announcement - and we can probably expect some of those fellow pros to turn up and show him support at the Davis Cup.</p><p></p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NADAL?

David Beckham weighs in on 'unique, one of a kind' Rafael Nadal after tennis legend announces retirement | Goal.com South Africa

David Beckham has praised tennis star Rafael Nadal after the 22-time Grand Slam winner announced his retirement from the sport.