Rafael Nadal, the iconic Spanish tennis player and a holder of 22 grand slam titles, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the upcoming season.
Nadal, who turned professional at the age of 15 in 2001, will conclude his illustrious career next month, bringing to a close 23 years on the ATP Tour.
Throughout his career, Nadal has achieved numerous victories, amassing nearly $135 million in prize money from 92 professional tournament titles across singles and doubles matches. With a record of 1,080 wins against just 227 losses, he has earned money not only for his victories but also for progressing in various tournaments.
Despite facing injuries in recent years that led to withdrawals from several competitions, Nadal managed to earn $301,661 in prize money in 2024 alone, according to the ATP Tour.
In addition to his on-court success, Nadal has built a robust financial portfolio off the court. In 2024, he was ranked as the sixth-highest paid tennis player, earning $23.3 million, with $20 million coming from brand sponsorships. Nadal has had a long-standing partnership with automobile company Kia, which spans 20 years, and in 2023 he became a brand ambassador for Infosys, an IT firm.
He is also the face of watchmaker Richard Mille, wearing high-value timepieces during matches. Nadal described the watch as “like a second skin” for him. Additionally, he collaborated with Roger Federer on a campaign for luxury brand Louis Vuitton, enhancing his visibility in the fashion industry.
Despite facing criticism regarding the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation’s human rights record, Nadal has signed on as an ambassador for the organization, reportedly earning a seven-figure sum annually from this partnership. He began his career with Nike, and while the exact value of that deal is undisclosed, it is suggested that he received around $10 million in bonuses during his years as the top-ranked player in the world.