emirates7 - Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 38.
In a video shared on social media, the Spaniard, who holds 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 French Open victories, explained his decision. "Hello everyone. I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis," Nadal said.
He went on to express the challenges of the past few years, especially the last two, noting that he has struggled to play without limitations. He confirmed that his final appearance on the court will be at the Davis Cup final in November.
Nadal described the decision as difficult but inevitable, saying, "In this life everything has a beginning and an end." He expressed excitement about ending his career by representing his country in the Davis Cup, recalling the joy of his first major achievement at the 2004 final in Sevilla.
The Davis Cup knockout phase will take place from November 19 to 24.
Nadal will retire as one of the sport's all-time greats, having won 92 titles over two decades. His dominance at the French Open, where he captured 14 titles, is legendary, with his first win in 2005 at just 19 years old and his most recent in 2022, making him the tournament's oldest champion. He lost only three times in 115 matches at Roland Garros.
Nadal also triumphed at the US Open four times and twice at the Australian Open. Despite grass being his least favorable surface, he won Wimbledon twice, with his 2008 victory over Roger Federer regarded as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals ever.
Nadal also achieved a career Golden Slam with an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and won five Davis Cups. He was a five-time year-end world No.1 and held a top-10 ranking for an impressive 18 years, remaining in the top spot for 209 weeks.
From 2004 to 2022, Nadal won at least one title every year, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
In a video shared on social media, the Spaniard, who holds 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 French Open victories, explained his decision. "Hello everyone. I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis," Nadal said.
He went on to express the challenges of the past few years, especially the last two, noting that he has struggled to play without limitations. He confirmed that his final appearance on the court will be at the Davis Cup final in November.
Nadal described the decision as difficult but inevitable, saying, "In this life everything has a beginning and an end." He expressed excitement about ending his career by representing his country in the Davis Cup, recalling the joy of his first major achievement at the 2004 final in Sevilla.
The Davis Cup knockout phase will take place from November 19 to 24.
Nadal will retire as one of the sport's all-time greats, having won 92 titles over two decades. His dominance at the French Open, where he captured 14 titles, is legendary, with his first win in 2005 at just 19 years old and his most recent in 2022, making him the tournament's oldest champion. He lost only three times in 115 matches at Roland Garros.
Nadal also triumphed at the US Open four times and twice at the Australian Open. Despite grass being his least favorable surface, he won Wimbledon twice, with his 2008 victory over Roger Federer regarded as one of the greatest Grand Slam finals ever.
Nadal also achieved a career Golden Slam with an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and won five Davis Cups. He was a five-time year-end world No.1 and held a top-10 ranking for an impressive 18 years, remaining in the top spot for 209 weeks.
From 2004 to 2022, Nadal won at least one title every year, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.