Rafael Nadal, the renowned tennis player, announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding a remarkable career during which he earned over $130 million in prize money, making him the second-highest earner in the sport’s history. He trails only Novak Djokovic, who has accumulated $184 million in his career, as reported by the ATP Tour.
In a video message shared on X, Nadal revealed his decision to retire after approximately 23 years in the sport. He is scheduled to play his final professional match for Spain in November during the Davis Cup.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially the last two. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” Nadal admitted, referencing the injuries that have hindered his ability to maintain a full competitive schedule.
At 38 years old, Nadal has garnered admiration as a fierce competitor and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history. He earned the nickname King of Clay due to his unparalleled success at the French Open, where he secured a record 14 titles, most recently in 2022.
In addition to his on-court earnings, Nadal has enjoyed lucrative sponsorship deals, particularly with Nike, which created a personal logo for him in 2013.
Though Nadal has not disclosed his future plans, he is set to participate in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in the coming weeks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will compete against prominent players, including Djokovic, world number one Jannik Sinner, and fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, with a prize of $6 million awaiting the winner, surpassing any professional Grand Slam tournament.