Say Your Farewells, Rafa

For someone whose career has been defined by gritty, swashbuckling style of play, Rafael Nadal is not someone to write off that easily. Still smarting from the surgery to repair his damaged hip flexor muscle that kept him out of the ATP Tours in 2023, the magnificent Spaniard just said his farewell to fans hoping to watch him compete at this year's Australian Open. He is now confirmed out of the tournament due to a muscle tear.

But, is it time for Nadal to start saying farewells to competitive tennis in general?

At 37, he is definitely getting old for his sport, and that's corroborated by the amount of injuries he's suffered since he turned 30. When he returned for this season, he clearly said he's not sure if he will compete next year or not, putting that decision squarely down to how his body adjusts to the rigours of professional tennis in the next months. Now that he's out injured, it will be proper for him to actually admit it's time to leave.

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, two of this era's most iconic sports persons, gave us the benefit of watching their last competitive moments as they made tearful exits from the sport and the fans that gave them everything. It will be a shame if Nadal announces his retirement on a sick bed. No, I do not want that. I want to watch him one last time, competing fearlessly like he's used to. I wish to be able to say a proper farewell to a man who broke my heart each time he denied Roger Federer of a title. I wish to admire one last time the man who started as a rival but later became a beloved and respected competitor.

Get well soon, Rafa. We await your return.

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Welcome, Ratcliffe
For a while now, the media has been agog with what Ratcliffe and co will bring to the table at Man United, the success of INEOS Sport offering a tiny bit of expectation. Though Man United is a different beast compared to what he's had to face at Nice and his other ventures in cycling and Formula 1, negotiating a path to ending the Sancho standoff looks like a promising start. Yes, Man United will bleed money and probably have to finance a serious proportion of Sancho's wages while at Dortmund, however, his departure is more sporting than financial.

Hopefully, other 'deadwoods' who get paid ridiculously high wages only to take to the pitch and play like they are doing us all a favour will be shown the exit. With Sancho's case nearly sorted - at least, for the next six months - I'll be waiting patiently for the next line of action as regards Mason Greenwood. His case also needs a closure. Welcome, Mr. Ratcliffe.