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RAFAEL NADAL has confirmed his retirement from tennis after an incredible 23-year career.
The Spaniard, 38, won 22 Grand Slams including a staggering 14 at his beloved French Open.
Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis aged 38Getty
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X formerly Twitter / @RafaelNadal
He waved goodbye to Roland Garros at the Paris Olympics this summerAFPBut he has called time after struggling with injuries in recent years.
Nadal will make his final appearance as a professional at next month’s Davis Cup finals in Malaga in front of an adoring home crowd.
The tennis superstar – who bows out as one of the all-time greats – shared an emotional five-minute video on social media this morning which was captioned: “Many thanks to all.”
He said: “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.
“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.”
Nadal secured his first Grand Slam on his debut at the French Open in 2005, two days after his 19th birthday.
Incredibly, he won his first 31 matches at Roland Garros and picked up the trophy in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
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Nadal retires with a ridiculous 112-4 win-loss record at his beloved Paris tournament.
Despite being a natural clay-court expert thanks to his Spanish upbringing, Nadal won Wimbledon in 2008.
He lost the 2006 and 2007 finals to Roger Federer before eventually getting over the line, beating his great rival in 2008 in arguably the best tennis match ever.
Nadal secured his maiden Australian Open in 2009 then completed the Career Grand Slam in 2010 by winning the US Open – adding to his French Open and Wimbledon titles that year.
It is fitting he says goodbye flying the flag for Spain having won Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles as well as securing four Davis Cup triumphs for his nation.
Nadal added: “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 ever have imagined.
“I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.”
Rafael Nadal's farewell video in full
RAFAEL NADAL announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season.
He released an emotional, five-minute video confirming his decision to hang up his racquets after 23 years on the ATP Tour and 22 Grand Slam titles.
Here’s what he said…
Hello everyone, I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.
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.
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.
But I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.
I think I’ve come full circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004.
I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry.
All the people involved in this sport: my long-term colleagues, especially my great rivals.
I have spent many, many hours with them, and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me because in the end my team has been a very important part of my life.
They are not just co-workers, they are friends.
They have been by my side at all the times I have really needed them.
Very bad moments. Very good moments. Moments when I had to be pushed. Moments they gave me more slack.
We have lived so much together that it is hard to explain.
My family is everything to me.
My mother. I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we would always have everything.
My wife, Mery, we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done.
I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of (my) career.
To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue.
My sister, I think we have always had an incredible relationship.
My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis.
I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career.
And to my father, who I believe has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word.
I think he has been an example of effort, of overcoming.
Many, many thanks to my father in a very, very special way.
And finally, you, the fans.
I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel.
You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment.
Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true.
I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way.
I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.
Federer led a host of tennis accounts to express their love and gratitude for all Nadal has done for the sport as comments flooded in on social media.
The 20-time major winner wrote: “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour!”
Nick Kyrgios said: “We had our differences but you were one hell of a warrior. Best wishes and good luck with whatever comes next.
“Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke me up about Rafa – I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for. He was a motivation – I guess an inspiration. F*** – it’s true – people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people.”
Coco Gauff added: “You are amazing! It’s been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter.”
Katie Boulter joked: “Nope, I/we refuse this application to retire.”
TennisTV replied: “Legend then. Legend now. Legend forever.”
And the French Open simply replied: “King.”
Even football icon Cristiano Ronaldo weighed in: “Rafa, what an incredible race you’ve had. Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world. It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend. Congrats on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!”
Injuries and physical struggles took their toll throughout his career, particularly in his knees and his foot, but his dominance as the King of Clay continued.
A resurgence from 2017 saw him win four more French Opens in a row while adding two US Opens and reaching two Australian Open finals and two Wimbledon semis.
Then in 2022, Nadal came from two sets down in the Australian Open final to beat Daniil Medvedev and beat Novak Djokovic in episode 59 of 60 of their record-breaking rivalry on his way to French Open No14.
That ensured he reigned as world No1 in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s – the only man to top the rankings in three decades.
An abdominal injury forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon before his semi-final with Nick Kyrgios – and that gruelling win over Taylor Fritz in the quarters would prove to be the last time he took to the famous All England Club lawns.
Nadal beat Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon finalNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Reuters
Injuries took their toll on his body throughout his careerRichard Pelham / The Sun
ReutersAn early defeat in Australia last year was followed by a brutal first-round draw against Alexander Zverev in his French Open farewell this year.
Then, in what could be his last-ever singles match depending on his involvement in Malaga next month, Nadal was defeated by Djokovic on Court Philippe-Chatrier at this summer’s Paris Olympics, where he had carried the torch during the opening ceremony.
Nadal hinted at the end of 2023 that this season would be his final year on the tour – especially now he has welcomed a baby son Rafa with his wife Maria.
And so it has proven.
Nadal spent 209 weeks ranked as the world No1, has won 1080 singles matches, collected 92 titles and earned £103million in prize money on the court.
Djokovic on 24 is the only man to have won more Majors.
But even the absurd numbers – including 912 consecutive weeks inside the world’s top ten – only tell half the story of a man who, along with Federer and Djokovic, made up the greatest era of tennis.
Nadal teamed up with Federer in doubles at the Laver Cup two years ago when the Swiss maestro drew the curtain on his exceptional career.
Now the Spaniard, synonymous with his bulging biceps, roaring celebrations and biting his trophies, may well sign off sharing the court with Carlos Alcaraz, the heir to Rafa’s throne.
Rafael Nadal is not only one of the greatest tennis players ever, but one of the greatest athletes ever.
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Nadal’s huge biceps and monster fist pumps were a trademarkGetty
He became synonymous with this celebration at Roland GarrosGetty Images - Getty
Nadal will hope to add a fifth Davis Cup title to his collection before he retiresGetty Images - Getty
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