Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis

Rafael Nadal, one of the most successful tennis players in history, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup Finals in Málaga this November. The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, cited ongoing injury struggles as the primary reason for his decision.

After months of speculation, Nadal’s retirement confirms that his battle with injuries, particularly since the Paris Olympics in 2024, proved too difficult to overcome. Since his loss to Novak Djokovic in Paris, Nadal has not been able to regain his form and has dropped to 158th in the world rankings. 

In an emotional video, Nadal shared how the past few years have been especially challenging, stating: “I don’t think I’ve played without limitations for a long time… It was a tough decision to make, but in life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

Nadal, whose farewell will take place on the Davis Cup stage, was long one of the world’s best tennis players. His legacy will particularly be defined by his unparalleled success on clay, including a record 14 titles at Roland Garros. 

However, Nadal’s dominance extended beyond clay courts. He captured multiple titles on grass and hard courts, including four U.S. Open titles and two Wimbledon victories. In 2008, Nadal crowned himself Olympic champion in Athens. 

His intense rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic helped shape an era in men’s tennis, with the trio collectively winning 66 Grand Slam titles. While Federer retired in 2022 and Djokovic continues to compete, Nadal’s exit marks the closing of a historic chapter in the sport. 

^{Rafael Nadal © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}