Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam winner, has announced his retirement from professional tennis, marking the end of a remarkable career. The 38-year-old revealed in a video message posted on social media on Thursday that his final tournament will be the Davis Cup Finals in November, where he will compete for Spain.
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional Tennis. pic.twitter.com/hs3u2aBe9i
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2024
“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal shared in Spanish during the announcement.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
Over the past few years, Nadal has faced a series of injuries that have significantly affected his time on the court. This season, he has participated in only seven tournaments, with a disappointing first-round exit at the French Open, a tournament he has dominated with a record 14 titles. His most recent match was at the Paris Olympics, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in straight sets during the second round.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make… I think it is an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” Nadal said.
Known for his physically demanding playing style, many questioned how long Nadal could sustain his career. However, he retires with an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24 in the all-time rankings.
