Rafael Nadal, the renowned Spanish tennis player and 22-time Grand Slam champion, has announced that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the upcoming season. The 38-year-old tennis icon made the revelation on Thursday, concluding a remarkable 23-year career on the ATP Tour that began when he turned pro at the age of 15 in 2001.
Throughout his illustrious career, Nadal has accumulated significant earnings from both prize money and diverse sponsorship deals, firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest athletes of all time. According to estimates, he has amassed nearly $135 million in prize money from 92 professional tournament titles, including both singles and doubles matches, as per the ATP Tour records. Over his career, Nadal has achieved 1,080 match victories while suffering just 227 losses, which has allowed him to earn prize money even in tournaments where he did not emerge as the winner.
Despite facing injury challenges in recent years that have hindered his participation in some events, Nadal has managed to secure $301,661 in prize money so far in 2024.
From a financial standpoint, Nadal ranked as the sixth-highest paid tennis player in 2024, with earnings of $23.3 million, most of which came from his off-court endeavors amounting to approximately $20 million. His long-standing partnerships with esteemed brands have contributed significantly to his wealth. Notable among these is a 20-year sponsorship with automobile company Kia, as well as a recent partnership with IT firm Infosys that was announced in 2023.
In addition to these endorsements, Nadal has a contract with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, whose high-end timepieces he wears on the court. He referred to the watch as “like a second skin” on Richard Mille’s website. Furthermore, Nadal participated in a campaign titled “Core Values” alongside rival Roger Federer for Louis Vuitton, reinforcing his prominence in the sports and fashion industries.
Despite potential controversies, Nadal has also become an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation, reportedly earning a seven-figure sum through this partnership despite criticism regarding the nation’s human rights record. His continued collaboration with Nike remains a cornerstone of his image, although specific figures regarding their partnership are undisclosed. However, it has been suggested that Nike has rewarded him with approximately $10 million in bonuses during years when he held the top ranking in the world.