Rafael Nadal, one of the most successful tennis players of all time, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis after the Davis Cup final in Malaga this November. The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, cited his ongoing battle with injury as the main reason for his decision.
After months of speculation, Nadal’s retirement confirms that his battle with injuries has been too difficult to overcome, especially after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Since losing to Novak Djokovic in Paris, Nadal has been unable to regain his form and has fallen to 158th in the world rankings.
In an emotional video, Nadal said the last few years had been particularly difficult, saying: The beginning and the end. ”
Nadal, who will farewell on the Davis Cup stage, has long been one of the world’s best tennis players. His legacy will be particularly defined by his unparalleled success on clay courts, including a record 14 titles at Roland Garros.
But Nadal’s dominance extended beyond the clay court. He won multiple titles on grass and hard courts, including four U.S. Open championships and two Wimbledon championships. In 2008, Nadal became the Athens Olympic champion.
His fierce rivalry with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic helped define an era in men’s tennis, with the trio winning a combined 66 Grand Slam titles. Federer will retire in 2022 and Djokovic will continue to compete, but Nadal’s retirement marks the end of a historic chapter in the sport.
Rafael Nadal © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
