Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who retired in November 2024, has said he does not miss playing tennis professionally. Speaking to reporters after receiving the Sporting Icon award at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2025 in Madrid, Nadal revealed he was at peace with his decision to step away from the sport.
“The truth is that I don’t miss tennis. Zero. I don’t miss it at all,” Nadal told reporters.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion attended the awards ceremony at Madrid’s Galería De Cristal on April 21, where he was recognized for his exceptional contribution to sports.
‘I Finished Happy,’ Says Nadal
Nadal clarified that his departure from tennis wasn’t driven by frustration or burnout. Instead, he concluded his career satisfied, knowing his body had reached its limits. “But not because I finished tired of tennis or fighting against tennis, not at all. I finished my career happy, and if I could have, I would have carried on, because I loved what I was doing. It was my passion, and that’s been the case all my life.”
The Spanish icon acknowledged the physical challenges he faced in the latter stages of his career, which ultimately led to his decision to retire. “It’s just that when you realise that physically you can’t do it any more… you try to close that chapter. And I closed it.”
Nadal Took Time Before Final Decision
The tennis star shared that he didn’t rush into retirement. He delayed the decision to ensure he was confident and content with it. “I delayed making my final decision because I needed time to be sure it was the right one. What would have been hard was sitting on my sofa wondering if I should keep trying to play.”
Once Nadal recognized that his body wouldn’t recover to the level needed to compete and enjoy the sport, he chose to stop. “When I saw that my body wasn’t going to recover to the level I needed to continue enjoying myself on court, then I made the decision to stop.”“That’s why I don’t miss it. Because I finished with the peace of mind of knowing that I’d given it my all, and that my body couldn’t give any more.”
As he accepts the Sporting Icon award, Rafael Nadal leaves behind a remarkable legacy marked by humility, discipline, and an enduring love for tennis.
