Rafael Nadal, one of tennis’s greatest icons, announced on Thursday that he will retire next month at age 38.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed the decision on social media.
In the video, he states the upcoming Davis Cup finals in Malaga, Spain, will mark the end of his 23-year professional career.
“It is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” Nadal said.
The Spaniard’s retirement brings to a close an illustrious career that spanned nearly two decades, marked by epic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Together, the trio, dubbed the “Big Three,” redefined men’s tennis, amassing a combined 68 Grand Slam titles.
Rafael Nadal practices during a tennis training session at Roland-Garros ahead of the Paris Olympic Games on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France. Some of the defining achievements of his 23-year career include 14 French Open victories at this very venue—in 2021, the French Tennis Federation revealed a statue of him on its grounds.
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Nadal’s physical style of play and resilience on court made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent.
His dominance on clay courts, in particular, earned him the title “King of Clay,” as he captured a record 14 French Open titles, more than any other player, male or female, at a single Grand Slam event.
A statue of Nadal stands at Roland Garros, the Open’s venue, honoring his unprecedented achievements there.
Injuries, however, played a significant role in his decision to step away.
This included chronic foot pain—he was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss syndrome in 2005—and several knee issues.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal explained.
“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
The 38-year-old has not played competitively since this summer’s Paris Olympics, where he lost to Djokovic in the second round.
He achieved Olympic gold at Beijing 2008’s singles and Rio 2016’s doubles.
Roger Federer (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) attend the Rafa Nadal Foundation Charity Gala at Cibeles Palace on Dec. 22, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. Nadal’s victory over Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final is, to this day, considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history.
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Since making his professional debut in 2001, Nadal’s career has been punctuated by memorable moments and legendary battles.
His victory over Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, widely considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history, will remain a highlight for those that love the sport.
Another epic showdown came in the 2012 Australian Open final, where Nadal faced Djokovic in a grueling, nearly six-hour marathon.
Nadal surpassed Federer for the men’s record of Grand Slam titles in 2022, reaching 22 after victories at the Australian Open and French Open.
Nadal acknowledged the impact of his long-standing rivals, saying, “I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals.”
He also expressed enthusiasm for closing out his career at the Davis Cup, a competition that has brought him some of his earliest professional joy.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” he said.
Zinedine Zidane (R) passes the Olympic torch to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. Like Zidane and his footballing contemporaries, the 68 Grand Slam competitions won among tennis’ ‘Big Three’—Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic—will fuel ‘Greatest of All Time’, or GOAT, discussions for decades to come.
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His decision to conclude his career at the Davis Cup serves as a full-circle moment; he helped Spain secure the title as a teenager in 2004.
Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era for tennis, with Federer already retired and Djokovic, at 37, nearing the latter stages of his career.
Federer retired in 2022, and Nadal’s exit now leaves Djokovic as the last active member of the “Big Three.”
The last man standing in the sport’s “Greatest Of All-Time” debate has since overtaken Nadal’s competition record, setting a new benchmark of 24 Grand Slam titles.
For Nadal, though, the journey itself seems to have been the real triumph.
“Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” he said.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
