Rafa Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, announced on Thursday that he will retire from his illustrious but injury-plagued career following the Davis Cup Finals next month. This announcement comes as one of the greatest players in the sport prepares for an emotional farewell.
In the course of his 23-year career, Nadal won a record 14 French Open titles. However, he previously stated that he would retire this year due to a hip injury that necessitated surgery and limited his appearances in 2023.
After last competing at the Paris Olympics in July and then missing the U.S. Open and Laver Cup due to fitness concerns, the 38-year-old was a surprise selection for the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga.
In a video that was shared on social media, Nadal said, “It’s been some difficult years, especially these last two.”
“I’m very excited that my final competition will be the Davis Cup for my nation. It’s like closing the circle because the 2004 final in Sevilla was one of my first joys.
Nadal has a history of injuries; he injured his hip at the Australian Open in the beginning of 2023, missed the French Open later that year, and had surgery.
In the past two seasons, he has only appeared in 23 games.
This season, Nadal went back to his favorite hunting grounds, but he lost to German Alexander Zverev in the first round, and he politely declined a celebratory farewell in the hope of winning a final match next year.
Nadal’s jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record at the Paris major earned him the moniker “King of Clay.” His last victory at Roland Garros came in 2022.
Two years after his great rival and Swiss master Roger Federer, Nadal will hang up his racket. This will make Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who has won a record 24 major titles, the only member of the “Big Three” who is still playing.
Federer led the social media tributes to Nadal, stating that he hoped his friend would never announce his retirement.
“What a career, Rafa! Thank you for the wonderful memories and incredible accomplishments in our favorite sport. It has been a true honor!” the great Swiss man said.
Nadal expressed gratitude to his family and team for his successful career, particularly to his uncle Toni, who served as his coach for the majority of his time on the court.
