Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis.
The 38-year-old, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced the news in an emotional video message posted on X.
“Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” the Spaniard said.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.” he said.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.
“But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.
“And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
Nadal achieved a series of incredible records on clay but was an all-time great on all surfaces.
However, the 14-time French Open winner, who also boasts four US Open titles and won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, has struggled with various injuries over the last few years.
Nadal boasts 112 victories at Roland Garros, including 14 French Open titles. File pic: Action Images/Reuters/Jason O’Brien
He admitted in May last year he was staring at the end of his career and that he hoped to be able to play a final year on tour in 2024.
Nadal also announced on Thursday that his final match will be for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, in what will be an emotional end to an illustrious career.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” the tennis star said in the video post.
He said the tournament would bring a fitting end to his career because “one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004”.
Spain defeated the United States with a then 18-year-old Nadal victorious against the USA’s Andy Roddick.
Nadal celebrating his win against the USA’s Andy Roddick in the Davis Cup final at Sevilla’s Olympic Stadium in December 2004. Pic: Reuters
Nadal’s successes came during an extraordinary period of international tennis when he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and, for a while, Britain’s Andy Murray, dominated the sport.
The former men’s world number one was visibly emotional when Federer, whom he played against 40 times, retired at the Laver Cup in 2022.
“I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” he said.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals.
“I have spent many hours with them and have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Nadal with tennis rivals – and friends – (L-R) Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the 02 Arena, London, in 2022. Pic: Action Images via Reuters
He said his support team has been a very important part of his life. “They are not just co-workers, they are friends,” he said, adding: “My family is everything to me.”
Nadal spoke of the “sacrifices” his mother Ana Maria had made – and also hailed his wife and partner of 19 years, Mery, for being by his side while on tour over the years.
“To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive.” he said, referring to their child Rafael Jr.
There was also a nod to his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, who he said “is the reason I started playing tennis”, and to his father, Sebastian Nadal, who he described as a “source of inspiration”.
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