Rory McIlroy makes rare Instagram announcement about 'hero of mine'

Rory McIlroy has paid tribute to tennis legend Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard's career ended in defeat. 

Nadal, who won 22 major championships during his illustrious career, retired aged 38 on 19 November at the Davis Cup. 

Spain were defeated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, with Nadal losing 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp. 

He retires as the second-most successful men's singles player of all time, behind only his long-term rival Novak Djokovic. 

Nadal lifted the French Open a record 14 times, winning 112 of 116 matches at Roland Garros. 

He won Wimbledon twice, the Australian Open twice and the U.S. Open on four occasions. 

McIlroy paid tribute to the 'King of Clay' with a rare Instagram announcement. 

It read:

Rafa,

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 inspiration to how I approach my own career. 

You will be missed and tennis won't be the same without you. 

Congratulations on one of the finest sporting careers of all time. 

See you on the course soon. 

Your friend, 

Rory 

McIlroy is a massive tennis fan and was spotted at Flushing Meadows earlier in the summer. 

He watched the semi-final match at the U.S. Open between Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz. 

Tennis legend John McEnroe made a dig at McIlroy during the broadcast, commenting on his own near miss at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.

McIlroy was pipped by Bryson DeChambeau in one of the most thrilling finishes to a major in recent memory. 

McIlroy won the DP World Tour finale last week, along with his sixth Race to Dubai title. 

Before the tournament, he opened up on not ending his 10-year wait for a major title. 

"I could be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I am not," he said.  

"So that stings and that's something that I have to come to terms with, but at the same time, I've got plenty more opportunities in the future."

McIlroy won't be back in action until next January. 

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