Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced that he will retire from professional tennis next month. The 38-year-old Spanish player shared this news in an emotional video on social media. Nadal will play his final match for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this November, marking the end of his career.
Nadal is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history. Known as the King of Clay, he has won the French Open a record 14 times. He also has 4 US Open titles, 2 Wimbledon championships, and 2 Australian Open titles. In total, Nadal has 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Masters titles. He is one of only three men to win a Career Golden Slam, which means he has won all four Grand Slam tournaments and an Olympic gold medal.
Nadal has also won two Olympic gold medals—one in singles and one in doubles—and helped Spain win the Davis Cup five times, with the most recent victory in 2019.
In recent years, Nadal has struggled with injuries that kept him away from the court. He missed most of 2023 due to a hip injury and faced challenges in returning to his best form in 2024. In his video, Nadal mentioned that it had become difficult to compete without pain.
The last two years have been tough. I haven’t been able to play properly, Nadal said. It was a tough decision, but every story has a beginning and an end.
A Final Goodbye
Nadal will finish his career by playing for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals in November. This moment is special for him because one of his early career memories was winning the Davis Cup with Spain in 2004.
In his farewell message, Nadal thanked his family, team, fans, and rivals for supporting him throughout his career. He gave special thanks to his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him from a young age and helped him become a tennis great.
My family and my team have meant everything to me, Nadal said. I feel lucky for all my experiences, and I want to thank everyone in the tennis world who has been part of my journey.
Rafael Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. His career is full of achievements, and his determination and sportsmanship have made him one of the most respected players in the world.
As Nadal prepares to say goodbye to the sport, he does so with peace, knowing he gave his all. I leave with the satisfaction that I gave my best, Nadal said.
Tennis fans around the world will miss seeing him on the court, but he will continue to inspire future generations.
Nadal ended his message with heartfelt words: Thank you a thousand times to everyone, and see you soon.
