Rafael Nadal, the renowned Spanish tennis player with 22 Grand Slam titles, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The 38-year-old first turned professional at the age of 15 in 2001, and his forthcoming retirement will conclude an impressive 23-year career on the ATP Tour.
Throughout his career, Nadal has not only achieved remarkable success on the court but has also accrued significant financial earnings. He has amassed nearly $135 million in prize money from 92 professional tournament titles in both singles and doubles competitions, according to ATP statistics. His record shows an impressive 1,080 victories against only 227 losses.
Although injuries have plagued him in recent years, limiting his participation in various events, Nadal has still earned $301,661 in prize money in 2024 so far.
In addition to his on-court success, Nadal has secured numerous lucrative sponsorship deals. In 2024, he ranked as the sixth-highest-paid tennis player, earning $23.3 million, of which $20 million came from off-court ventures. He has maintained a long-term partnership with Kia for 20 years and recently became a brand ambassador for Infosys in 2023.
Nadal also collaborates with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, wearing timepieces that can range significantly in price. He has described the watch as feeling like “a second skin” during matches. This year, he joined forces with fellow tennis star Roger Federer for a “Core Values” campaign for Louis Vuitton.
Moreover, Nadal has ventured into a new partnership with the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation, despite criticism regarding the nation’s human rights record. Reports suggest that he earns a seven-figure sum annually from this association. His longstanding relationship with Nike has seen him don their apparel and footwear since the start of his career, with estimates indicating he has received around $10 million in bonuses during his tenure at the top of the rankings.