Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Professional Tennis
By
OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
Nadal, 38, has won 22 Grand Slam titles. He announced the news in an emotional video message posted on X.
“Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” he said.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Nadal achieved many incredible records on clay but was an all-time great on all surfaces. He proved anyone putting him into a box marked “clay specialist” was mistaken.
However, the 14-time French Open winner, who also boasts four US Open titles and won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, has struggled with injuries over the last few years.
Nadal missed the 2023 French Open and won his last Roland Garros title in 2022, leaving the tournament on a jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record.
He admitted in May last year he was staring at the end of his career and that he hoped to be able to play a final year on tour in 2024.
His final match will be for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November, in what will be an emotional end to an illustrious career.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” the tennis star revealed in the video post.
He said playing in the tournament would bring a fitting end to his career because “one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004”.
Spain defeated the United States with a then 18-year-old Nadal victorious against the USA’s Andy Roddick.
Nadal became successful during an extraordinary period of international tennis when he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and, for a while, Britain’s Andy Murray, dominated the sport.
The former men’s world number one was visibly emotional when Federer, whom he played against 40 times, retired at the Laver Cup in 2022.
“I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” Nadal said in his statement.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals.
“I have spent many hours with them and have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
None more so than on the grass of Wimbledon in July 2008 – in the fading light of Centre Court, before the roof and lights arrived, on far from his favourite surface. So early in his career, this was the final that embodied Nadal’s fighting spirit. And it was an epic – then the longest-ever final at the All England Club. He played with Roger Federer whom he finally won after nearly five hours.
The first of Nadal’s two Wimbledon titles was won through so much more than brute force – powered by the bulging biceps.
The topspin technique and ferocity of the forehand was mesmerising.
And it was on the red courts of Roland Garros where Nadal excelled like no player before him.
The King of Clay has 14 French Open titles to his name – more than any man or woman at a tennis major – and 22 Grand Slam successes in total. Only Novak Djokovic has won more.
Only Djokovic is left standing on court, yet to hang up his racket.
Nadal will be joining Federer and Andy Murray in retirement.
Federer was quick to pay a tribute to his friend and greatest rival.
“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come,” the Swiss and 20-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour,” he added.
Nadal went on to thank his support team who he said has been a very important part of his life. “They are not just co-workers, they are friends,” he said, adding: “My family is everything to me.”
He spoke of the “sacrifices” his mother Ana Maria had made – and also hailed his wife and partner of 19 years, Mery, for being by his side while on tour over the years.
“To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive,” he said, referring to their child Rafael Jr.
There was also a nod to his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, who he said “is the reason I started playing tennis”, and to his father Sebastian Nadal who he described as a “source of inspiration”.
“And finally you, the fans,” he said.
“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,” Nadal added.
“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.”
