The tennis world has been quick to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela after the former South African president passed away on Thursday, aged 95. Mandela, who championed the fight against apartheid and racial reconciliation, received the ATP World Tour's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 1997.
Past and present players mourned the loss of the legendary humanitarian through social media:
Andre Agassi @AndreAgassi
When the world gave #NelsonMandela their worst, he showed us all his best. A thousand years from now mankind will still revere him...
Kevin Anderson @kevinanderson18
Mandela's courage to forgive & determination for equality changed a nation & inspired millions around the world. Rest in peace #Madiba #tata
Rafael Nadal @RafaelNadal
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela, you have been a role model to the world. My most sincere condolences to family and friends.
Boris Becker @TheBorisBecker
Thank you Sir, for teaching us the very essence of humanity. #father #teacher #brother #leader #rip With all my love. pic.twitter.com/zk3vjA8PSr
Milos Raonic @milosraonic
A lifetime of lessons to be taught and learned from a great man. RIP Nelson Mandela
Feliciano Lopez @feliciano_lopez
RIP Nelson Mandela. Amazing legacy he left, such an inspirational character for the human race.
Fernando Verdasco @FerVerdasco
RIP Nelson Mandela. Rest in peace.
Janko Tipsarevic @TipsarevicJanko
R.I.P. Nelson Mandela
Matthew Ebden @MattEbden
Here's to you, Nelson Mandela. A tribute to you and a celebration of your life #NelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/BivZcinjDz
David Ferrer @DavidFerrer87
D.E.P Nelson Mandela
Tomas Berdych @tomasberdych
R.I.P Nelson Mandela
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Jamie Murray @jamie_murray
RIP Nelson Mandela. You will be forever remembered.
Christopher Kas @KasiTennis
#NelsonMandela is gone
but will live on forever !!!
#greaterthanlife #hero
#RIP
Julien Benneteau @julienbenneteau
MADIBA....
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga @tsonga7
Nelson's spirit will stay for ever! Thank you for everything you have done for humanity.
Rohan Bopanna @rohanbopanna
Rest in Peace Mr. Nelson Mandela, you have been an inspiration to every generation. #46664...
Rik de Voest @RikdeVoest
#Madiba, a global icon and an example of what is right in the world. Utter respect and admiration for his leadership and humility. R.I.P
Jack Sock @JackSock
Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way little else does #NelsonMandela
Michael Russell @MRusselltennis
"World has lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings." #NelsonMandela
Dusan Vemic @dusanVemic
Rest in peace mr. Mandela..
made World a better place..
James Blake, who hosted his "Serving for a Cure" on Thursday night in New York City, reflected on Mandela's legacy: "It really makes you look back on what he did and what he accomplished. Most people can’t accomplish it in a hundred lifetimes what he did on ninety-some-odd years. It’s incredible, a testament to his persistence to what he believed in. If we all had that type of passion and vision it would be a pretty amazing world."
Roger Federer, whose mother is South African, was asked about Mandela during the 2013 Wimbledon tournament after the leader was hospitalised. “He’s been very influential, an amazing personality. He believed in something and had to pay a big price for it. Someone you can definitely look up to.”