Rafa, Roger, Novak and Andy.
The names roll off the tongue for the modern-day tennis fan as rapidly as John, Paul, George and Ringo do for a Beatles geek.
This fab 4 – or the Huge 4 as they’re identified – of the ATP Tour’s post-millennium golden period usually are not seen collectively a lot today, with Rafael Nadal changing into the third of the group to retire on the finish of final yr.
However he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray reunited on Sunday because the French Open bade an emotional farewell to its 14-time champion.
“In any case these years combating for all the pieces, it is unbelievable how time adjustments the attitude of issues,” an emotional Nadal, 37, instructed his rivals-turned-friends after they strode out to affix him on Court docket Philippe Chatrier.
“All of the nerves, strain, unusual emotions if you see one another if you’re rivals, it is utterly completely different if you end your profession.
“We constructed superb rivalries however I feel in a great way, we fought exhausting for titles however have been good colleagues and revered each other.
“It means rather a lot that you simply’re all right here. I actually loved rather a lot pushing myself to the restrict each single day to compete with all of you.”
