Rafael Nadal Was Moved By Rory McIlroy's Historic Career Grand Slam: 'I Had Tears...'

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 09:28 IST

Rafael Nadal teared up as Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters, completing his career Grand Slam. Nadal lauded McIlroy's perseverance.

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has said that he had tears in his eyes for a long time after Rory McIlroy won his career Grand Slam, adding that coming from the sports world, he knows how much suffering the golfer had to go through to achieve the milestone.

McIlroy held his nerve to edge past Justin Rose and clinch the 2025 Masters title. It marked his first Major win in over 11 years and completed a career Grand Slam, placing him alongside legends such as Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in an elite club.

After the latter, McIlroy was the first in 25 years to win the career Grand Slam.

“Very, very emotional. I had tears in my eyes for a lot of minutes after his victory. Very, very special. Coming from the sports world, I understand 100% how much he suffered, especially in his last round," Nadal said while speaking to Laureus.

“And, yeah, 11 years without winning a Major for a player like Rory, the amount of pressure that he had to hold, to survive through his last round and the attack of Justin Rose, who had been amazing and he is a gentleman too, it was so special, no," Nadal added.

He signed off from professional tennis in emotional fashion after Spain’s exit from the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. After the team’s elimination, Nike paid tribute to Nadal’s legacy by sharing a heartfelt clip across its social media platforms, celebrating his extraordinary career.

“From watching you win your first grand slam in 2005 to watching you win your last in 2022, you have been a hero of mine and an inspiration to how I approach my own career," McIlroy had reacted.

News sports tennis Rafael Nadal Was Moved By Rory McIlroy's Historic Career Grand Slam: 'I Had Tears...'

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