MADRID (AP) — Reactions to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal announcing Thursday that he will retire from tennis after next month’s Davis Cup finals:
“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It's been an absolute honor!” — Roger Federer.
“Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever ... Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.” — Novak Djokovic on Instagram.
“14 thanks for the millions of memories.” — the X account of Roland Garros, where Nadal won his record 14 French Opens.
“I was very lucky to get to know him also as a person, and he’s an unbelievable person ... The lessons he taught us young players … how to behave on court, how to handle situations on the court … to stay humble, not changing with the success." — top-ranked Jannik Sinner.
“One last dance.” — the X account of the Davis Cup, at which Nadal will end his career next month.
“As I child I watched you on television and dreamed that I would one day be the tennis player who had the immense pleasure of playing by your side at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympics! Many thanks for being an example at every level. Your legacy won't be matched." — Carlos Alcaraz on X.
“Rafa, what an amazing career you had! Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions of people all over the world. It has been an honor to bear witness to your career and to be able to call you a friend. Congratulations on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!” — Soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Another tough one. Retirement is inevitable but I’m going to miss watching this bloke fighting for every point like no other. A truly remarkable human, best wishes Rafael Nadal.” — tennis great Rod Laver on X.
“I didn’t cry, but I had tears in my eyes. What he achieved in this sport, it’s incredible. He’s inspiration for all of us, for the next generation, for current players. He’s a legend.” — tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.
“Thank you for everything Rafa, it’s been nothing short of incredible.” — the ATP tour on X.
“Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest male tennis players of all time and as sad as it is to hear this news, I would like to congratulate him on his phenomenal career. Of course his individual record speaks for itself, but it was when he had his nation’s flag on his chest that we saw him at his absolute best." — International Tennis Federation President David Haggerty.
“Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire.” — British tennis player Katie Boulter on X.
“Congratulations on your spectacular career and the legacy you leave behind.” — Spain great Andrés Iniesta, who announced his retirement from soccer on Tuesday.
"Rafa don’t retire I wanna play you 1 last time." — Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios on X.
“Rafa Nadal is also a source of pride for our country and is an example of the core values of sport, with which he has forged his entire extraordinary career.” — Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez in a statement.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
FILE - Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, and Switzerland's Roger Federer pose with their trophies after the men's final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 5, 2011, as Nadal has announced he will retire from tennis at age 38 following the Davis Cup finals in November. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)
FILE - Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates after winning a point against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in New York., as he has announced he will retire from tennis at age 38 following the Davis Cup finals in November. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jeff Ulbrich shook up the New York Jets' struggling offense in his first major move as interim head coach.
Ulbrich announced Thursday he replaced Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offensive play caller. Downing, the Jets' passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, takes over as New York prepares for a showdown with the AFC East-rival Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
Hackett — who is close to quarterback Aaron Rodgers — will remain the offensive coordinator in title, but is taking a back seat to Downing in what is now an undefined role.
“After a lot of time to think about it, and I did not make this decision easily, by any means, I'm going to make Todd Downing the play caller for the New York Jets moving forward,” Ulbrich said. "This is more a byproduct of a different take on things. Not saying it's a better or worse take on things, by any means.
“But it's just a different take on things. A fresh approach.”
Ulbrich took over as coach Tuesday after owner Woody Johnson stunningly fired Robert Saleh with the team off to a 2-3 start and on a two-game losing streak. New York can move into a tie with Buffalo for first place in the division with a win.
But things need to get a lot better on offense first for that to happen.
The Jets with Rodgers at quarterback have been inconsistent this season and appeared conservative and predictable in the team's past two games, in particular. Hackett's performance has been criticized by many fans and media, who thought the Jets needed a change. There were reports Saleh was considering making a similar move to demote Hackett before he was fired.
Ulbrich, who said he’ll retain his duties as defensive coordinator while also serving as interim coach, agreed with trying something different.
“Ultimately, Todd will have the full say on the game plan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game,” Ulbrich said.
New York is ranked 27th overall in offense and last in the NFL in rushing.
“We’ve got to be assertive,” Ulbrich said. "We’ve got to play with confidence. We’ve got to run off the ball. We’ve got to play on our terms. Can’t be afraid of mistakes and half-stepping. ...
“And I’m very confident we're going to see that Monday night.”
Ulbrich said he spoke to Rodgers, who is close to Hackett from their time together in Green Bay, about the move and trying to improve the offense. Hackett was hired in 2023 to replace Mike LaFleur — and Rodgers was traded to the Jets a few months later.
“It was obviously, not necessarily shock, but we all are familiar with the relationship he has with Nathaniel,” Ulbrich said. “They're very, very good friends and they go back a long ways.
"He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision.”
Ulbrich, a former NFL linebacker and longtime defensive assistant with an energetic, straight-talking approach, said he wants to try to also have “an influence” on the offense.
“I'm going to really look hard at this week and how I can find those places to infuse my personality into that side of the ball,” Ulbrich said. "From a strategic or from a schematic standpoint, I don't know if there'll be a ton of input. But as far as style of play, absolutely.
"The way this thing looks on Monday night, I'm hopeful that I can infuse that into them."
Downing joined Saleh's staff last year as the passing game coordinator and added coaching the quarterbacks to his duties before this season. The 44-year-old Downing is a longtime NFL assistant who has also served as an offensive coordinator for the Raiders (2017) and Titans (2021-22).
“For every Tennessee offense that I ever won against when when Todd was the play caller there, they were tough, they were ruthless, they finished, they ran the ball," Ulbrich said. "They played on their terms. And there’s definitely a style that appealed to me in that way."
Ulbrich said Rodgers (ankle/hamstring) will be limited at practice, but will be fine to play. ... CB Michael Carter II (back) won't practice. ... TE Tyler Conklin (hip) will be limited. ... Ulbrich said RT Morgan Moses, who missed the past two games with a knee injury, is “on track to play.” ... LB C.J. Mosley (toe) will see increased action in practice after missing the past three games. ... DT Leki Fotu (hamstring) remains on injured reserve, but Ulbrich is hopeful he could play on Monday night.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
FILE - New York Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing walks the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - New York Jets' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett talks to reporters before a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich walks the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)
Jets interim Jeff Ulbrich replaces Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offense's play caller
Jets interim Jeff Ulbrich replaces Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offense's play caller
