Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 38, sharing the news in a video message on Thursday. He concludes his illustrious career with 22 Grand Slam titles, including an unmatched 14 victories at the French Open, during a remarkable era alongside rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The tennis icon has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, affecting his participation significantly. Nadal revealed that the upcoming Davis Cup finals will be his final event in the sport. In 2023, he underwent hip surgery and has only played in two of the last eight major tournaments.
“It has been difficult in recent years, particularly the last two. I haven’t been able to play without limitations,” Nadal expressed. “This is a tough decision, one that has taken time to reach. But as in life, everything has a beginning and an end.”
Known for his relentless physical playing style, Nadal gained acclaim for his tenacity on the court, especially on clay, where he is revered as the King of Clay. His record-breaking 14 French Open titles stand as a testament to his dominance at this major tournament, highlighted by a statue in his honor at Roland Garros.
This year, he faced a tough exit in the first round of the French Open, losing in straight sets to Alexander Zverev. Nadal later returned to the venue for the Summer Olympics but was defeated by Djokovic in the second round of singles, proceeding to the quarterfinals in men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal’s farewell will happen while representing Spain at the Davis Cup in Malaga. Beyond his French Open exploits, he has also triumphed at the U.S. Open four times and twice at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open, achieving a career Grand Slam.
Reflecting on his journey, Nadal stated, “It is the right time to conclude a career that has been long and far more successful than I could have ever imagined.” His last major victories came in 2022, where he triumphed at the Australian Open and French Open, surpassing Federer’s previous record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
Throughout his career, much of Nadal’s legacy was intertwined with his legendary rivalries against Federer and Djokovic. Fans of tennis cherish moments from their iconic matches, including the 2008 Wimbledon final and thrilling encounters at the French Open.
Nadal holds the record for the most matches played against Djokovic, with 60 encounters. The statistics show Djokovic leads their overall matches 31-29, while Nadal has a 5-4 edge in Grand Slam finals. Against Federer, Nadal has played 40 times, winning 24 matches, including 6 of 9 in major finals.
Federer acknowledged Nadal’s contributions to the sport, expressing gratitude for the memories and achievements they shared. Notably, Nadal captured his final major title at the French Open two years ago while managing chronic pain in his left foot.
Throughout his career, Nadal faced numerous injuries, and despite a rocky finish to his career due to hip issues, he remains a towering figure in the sport. Since late 2022, he has struggled with a 14-14 record, reflecting challenges in maintaining consistency.
Nevertheless, his impressive career statistics include 209 weeks at the world No. 1 ranking, nearly 18 years in the Top 10, and 92 singles titles, along with approximately $135 million in prize earnings. “Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal concluded. “I leave knowing I gave my all and put in the effort in every way.”