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.
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.
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.
He surpassed Federer for the men’s record of Grand Slam titles in 2022, reaching 22 after victories at the Australian Open and French Open.
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