Rafael Nadal leads tributes to David Goffin as Belgian tennis star retires

Goffin's final match ended in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to world No 37 Alex Michelsen in the second round of the ATP 250 tournament on Thursday.

The 35-year-old retires with an impressive record of 358 wins and 276 losses, six ATP Tour titles and runner-up finishes at the 2017 ATP Finals and 2019 Cincinnati Masters. He also reached four Grand Slam quarter-finals and helped Belgium reach the Davis Cup final in 2015 and 2017.

Goffin peaked at world No 7, becoming the first and only Belgian man to break into the top 10.

He also recorded 21 victories over top-10 opponents during his career, including multiple wins against Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, as well as victories over Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

Speaking to ATPTour.com after his last match, Goffin said: "I'm proud of all my career. I gave everything to try to reach my goals.

"I'm proud of the attitude that I always had in front of the difficulties that I had in my career. I'm proud of the wins I had, the opponents I beat.

"A lot of things I'm really proud of. But in the end, I have no regrets and I gave everything until the very end.

"A younger version of myself would say that it's quite a good career, quite good emotions with the impressive places that I played, like a stadium with a crowd, the Davis Cup ties that I played. Hopefully a younger David would be impressed."

After his match with Michelsen, Goffin's career was celebrated in an on-court ceremony, and tributes recorded by several tennis stars were played on the big screen.

The montage started with a video from 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, who had some kinds words for Goffin.

"Hello David. How are you doing, man? I just want to congratulate you on your amazing career," Nadal said.

"It has been a huge pleasure to share practices, matches, great moments together on the tour."

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