Superstar Rafael Nadal announced Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the season.
A 22-time Grand Slam champion who owns a record 14 French Open titles, the Spaniard has been hampered by foot and abdominal injuries in recent years.
“Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal, 38, said in Spanish in a video posted to social media.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that takes me some time to make.
“But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
Nadal will conclude his 23-year professional career while representing Spain in the Davis Cup Finals on home soil in Malaga from Nov. 19-24.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” he said. “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.”
Nadal won the French Open 14 times in 18 years (2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-20, 2022). He also captured the U.S. Open four times (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) and both Wimbledon (2008, 2010) and the Australian Open (2009, 2022) on two occasions.
Nadal is second to Novak Djokovic (24) in men’s Grand Slam singles titles. Roger Federer is third with 20.
“Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram. “You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever … Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.”
Federer, who played his final match alongside Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup, also was quick to comment.
“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 honor!”
Nadal is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 men’s singles, 2016 men’s doubles). He also won 92 ATP tour-level tournaments and spent 209 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
“I feel super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” Nadal said. “I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals.
“I’ve spent many, many hours with them, and I’ve lived many moments that I’ll 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’re not just co-workers. They are friends.
“And finally, you the fans — I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve made me feel. You give me the energy I’ve needed 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.”
–Field Level Media
