Serena Williams coach speaks on Spaniard’s ‘low-key’ farewell: ” Rafael Nadal is more similar to Steffi Graf than Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic but not…”

Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, has drawn an intriguing comparison between Rafael Nadal and Steffi Graf in terms of how they chose to retire from professional tennis. Both of these legends, known for their incredible accomplishments, chose to exit the sport in a manner that reflected their personalities: low-key, understated, and free from grand fanfare.

Nadal recently ended his storied career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, marking the conclusion of his illustrious journey in tennis. Spain’s heartbreaking quarterfinal exit in the tournament provided a bittersweet backdrop to the farewell, but what stood out was the relative lack of spectacle surrounding Nadal’s retirement. While this may have surprised some, Stubbs explained that Nadal’s choice mirrored his character, a trait that he shares with Steffi Graf, who also preferred a quiet departure from the sport.

Graf’s retirement in 1999 came as a shock to many. At 30 years old, still ranked World No. 3, and just months after winning her 22nd and final Grand Slam at the French Open, Graf decided to walk away from tennis.

Her decision to retire was influenced by a number of factors. Not only was she grappling with significant physical pain—her knees, feet, and back causing constant discomfort—but she was also entering a new phase in her personal life, with a burgeoning relationship with fellow tennis great Andre Agassi.

On the *Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast*, Stubbs reflected on Graf’s decision, highlighting that the German champion was simply ready to leave the game on her own terms. Stubbs noted that Graf didn’t want to prolong her career just for the sake of making a grand exit. Instead, Graf wanted to step away quietly, a decision rooted in her desire for peace and her aversion to the spotlight. According to Stubbs, Graf was not the type to seek attention or bask in ceremonial goodbyes—she simply loved playing the game, and when her body could no longer bear the strain, she chose to exit gracefully.

This attitude, Stubbs argues, is strikingly similar to Nadal’s. Despite the grandeur of his career—22 Grand Slam titles, unparalleled feats on clay, and a devoted fanbase—Nadal’s farewell was notably unadorned. He chose to retire in the familiar surroundings of his home country, surrounded by only his close family, teammates, and a small group of supporters. There were no elaborate ceremonies, no final tour or lavish send-offs, which some might have expected for a player of his caliber. Instead, Nadal’s retirement was as humble and straightforward as his personality.

Stubbs further emphasized that Nadal, like Graf, didn’t need the public spectacle that many players feel inclined to have. She described how, after Graf told her she planned to retire ahead of the 2000 US Open, she suggested that Graf could at least extend her career for a few more weeks and make her retirement a grand event at Flushing Meadows. However, Graf was resolute, dismissing the idea with a simple, “Nah, I’m good.” Similarly, Nadal’s choice to retire at the Davis Cup Finals, rather than a major individual event like the US Open, reflected his preference for simplicity over grandiosity.

This kind of farewell, Stubbs suggests, is more aligned with Nadal’s and Graf’s personalities than those of other modern tennis legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, or Andy Murray, who, despite their own remarkable careers, have more often embraced the spotlight and the ceremonious celebrations that often accompany the conclusion of such prestigious careers.

Ultimately, both Graf and Nadal exemplified a certain kind of dignity in their retirements. They did not need the world to pause and acknowledge their exits with great fanfare. For both, retiring on their own terms, surrounded by their loved ones, and without an excess of ceremony, was a fitting end to their illustrious careers—a reflection of their quiet strength, humility, and deep love for the sport rather than the accolades that often come with it.

In this, Rennae Stubbs’ comparison underscores a broader truth about these tennis giants: their greatness was never defined by how they left the game, but by the way they played it—passionately, powerfully, and with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their retirements were simply the final chapter in the story of players who let their racquets do the talking, rather than seeking any further validation from the stage.