Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed he will retire from professional tennis after this season, making his final appearance for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga this November. Alongside his peers Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Nadal formed part of the "Big Three," a group that redefined the sport and captivated millions around the world.
The 38-year-old tennis icon is set to compete in Spain's quarter-final match against the Netherlands between November 19 and 21. Earlier this year, Nadal withdrew from what would have been his fourth Olympic appearance. He had previously secured a singles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games and a doubles gold at Rio 2016. Nadal will conclude his illustrious career with 92 ATP titles, including a record-breaking 14 French Open victories—more than twice that of any other player in the Open era.
This will be Nadal's first appearance since the Paris Olympics earlier this year, where he faced disappointment, losing to Novak Djokovic in singles and falling short in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. Despite these setbacks, his return to the Davis Cup holds deep significance, as one of his earliest career milestones came in 2004 when, at just 17, he helped Spain win the title. Reflecting on his retirement, Nadal expressed fond memories of that triumph.
Throughout his remarkable career, Nadal became synonymous with perseverance and sheer determination on the court. His legacy will forever be linked to his dominance on clay, most notably at the French Open, where he captured a record 14 titles. In recent months, Nadal has been plagued by injuries that have kept him from regular competition, and he has not played since the Paris Olympics.
Nadal shared the news through a video message released on Thursday, in which he reflected on his recent struggles and the physical toll the game has taken on his body.
In a video shared on social media, the 38-year-old 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've 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 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 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."
Source: India Today