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Sports stars enthrall fans with achievements and farewells

Sports Scene

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his gold medal after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 4, 2024. /CFP
Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his gold medal after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 4, 2024. /CFP

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his gold medal after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 4, 2024. /CFP

A major theme in sports in 2024 has been closure, with some athletes finally winning long-sought final medals or trophies, while others decided to wrap up their careers and wave goodbye to what has been their life's work.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend and the 24-time major winner, achieved a long-awaited dream when he secured his first Olympic gold medal in Paris. After years of near misses, Djokovic finally claimed the coveted title, further solidifying his place as one of the sport's greatest players. His victory at the Paris Games added another prestigious achievement to his illustrious career.

Spain's Rafael Nadal cries as he attends a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP
Spain's Rafael Nadal cries as he attends a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP

Spain's Rafael Nadal cries as he attends a tribute to his career at the end of the quarter-final doubles match between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, bid farewell to the tennis world in 2024. The Spaniard, known for his relentless work ethic and unprecedented success on clay courts, made the emotional decision to retire after a storied career. Nadal's departure from the game marked the end of an era for tennis, leaving fans worldwide to reflect on his numerous major victories and enduring impact on the sport.

China's Zheng Siwei (L) and Huang Yaqiong (R) hold gold medals after winning the badminton mixed doubles title at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 2, 2024. /CFP
China's Zheng Siwei (L) and Huang Yaqiong (R) hold gold medals after winning the badminton mixed doubles title at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 2, 2024. /CFP

China's Zheng Siwei (L) and Huang Yaqiong (R) hold gold medals after winning the badminton mixed doubles title at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, August 2, 2024. /CFP

In the world of badminton, China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong made history by winning their maiden Olympic mixed doubles title in Paris. The duo's triumph was a testament to their hard work and partnership, culminating in a career-defining achievement on the global stage.

However, just as Zheng and Huang were celebrating their Olympic triumph, Zheng made a personal announcement that shocked the badminton world: he would retire from international competition after the BWF World Tour Finals. The announcement came after an extraordinary career, during which Zheng became one of the most dominant and respected figures in the sport.

As 2024 draws to a close, the achievements of Djokovic, Nadal, Zheng, and Huang will be remembered as milestones in their respective sports, leaving an indelible mark on the worlds of tennis and badminton.

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