Roger Federer’s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, has shared his feelings on Rafael Nadal’s upcoming retirement, admitting he finds it “hard to accept.” Nadal, who will retire after the Davis Cup in Malaga later this month, holds an unparalleled legacy at Roland Garros, where he claimed 14 French Open titles. Ljubicic, who competed against Nadal and helped Federer secure three Grand Slam titles, explained that seeing Roland Garros without Nadal will be surreal, as Nadal is synonymous with the tournament.
Ljubicic also reflected on his personal experiences facing Nadal on clay, describing it as a “traumatic experience.” He noted that Nadal’s unique, topspin-heavy playing style made him exceptionally difficult to beat, even though his tactics were straightforward. Despite Ljubicic’s extensive career, he managed to win only two of their nine matchups, with Nadal defeating him twice at Roland Garros. Nadal’s final exit from the tennis stage marks the end of an era for Ljubicic and many who have followed Nadal’s iconic journey.
