As Rafael Nadal announces his retirement, line officials and referees from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships recall his sportsmanship, humility, and unforgettable 2006 triumph over Roger Federer.
Sharad Arora, a seasoned line official at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, has had the privilege of officiating matches for some of the greatest tennis players in history. Yet, few left a lasting impression quite like Rafael Nadal. As the 22-time Grand Slam winner announced his retirement, Arora, alongside fellow tennis officials, shared fond memories of the legendary Spaniard, whose career was defined not only by his unrivaled talent but also by his exceptional character.
In 2006, a then 19-year-old Nadal claimed victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, defeating his great rival Roger Federer in an epic three-set final (2-6, 6-4, 6-4). Nadal’s triumph ended Federer’s stunning 56-match unbeaten run on hard courts, an achievement that remains one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
“It was a pleasure working on his matches in that tournament,” Arora told Khaleej Times. “But while you are officiating, you are just concentrating on your job, to make the right calls as the line official. You are not there to enjoy the tennis, you are there to do your job.”
Despite the intensity of officiating high-stakes matches, Arora recalls how Nadal’s humble nature made the task easier. “He was such a nice guy, it was easy for us to do our job,” Arora shared. He contrasted Nadal’s demeanor with that of past legends like John McEnroe and Ilie Nastase, who, though iconic, were known for their fiery tempers on the court. “With players like Nadal, Federer, and Novak Djokovic, it was never the case. These guys are not just great champions, they are also very nice people.”
Another long-serving tennis referee, Hany El Khafief, echoed Arora’s sentiments. El Khafief vividly remembers the 2006 Dubai final, describing the electric atmosphere in the stadium as fans chanted Nadal’s name. “It was one of the rare ATP finals in Dubai when the two finalists were world number one and world number two. It was one of the most incredible matches the Dubai tennis stadium saw,” El Khafief told Khaleej Times.
Nadal’s connection with the region extended beyond Dubai. He was a regular at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, winning the exhibition tournament five times. “He also played in Abu Dhabi for many years. It was always easy to work with Rafa,” El Khafief said, reflecting on Nadal’s warm interactions with everyone off the court. “He was very down-to-earth, he used to talk to everybody nicely and didn’t mind joking with us. But on the court, he was a different person, the way he ran for his shots, he was like a matador.”
While Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era, the tennis community’s admiration for him remains unwavering. El Khafief is set to meet Nadal again soon at the 6 Kings Slam, an exhibition tournament in Riyadh. “I am very excited to meet him again,” El Khafief said, emphasizing how much the sport will miss Nadal’s presence.
As Nadal steps away from the professional stage, his legacy as a fierce competitor and a gracious champion continues to inspire. For those who had the privilege of sharing the court with him, like Arora and El Khafief, Nadal will always be remembered as more than just a tennis icon—he will be remembered as one of the nicest people in the sport.
