Adios champ: Tennis great Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis

Adios champ: Spaniard Rafael Nadal will hang up his racket after representing his country at the Davis Cup final in November

Tennis great Rafael Nadal is bidding adieu to his illustrious tennis career. The 38-year-old Spaniard, who has won 22 Grand Slams, took to social media with a heartfelt video to announce his “difficult decision”, which has taken him a while to make. After spending most of 2023 out of action following a hip flexor injury, Nadal had returned to his favourite surface in Roland Garros for the French Open, a tournament he dominated and won 14 times, but had an early exit.

Rafael Nadal on retirement: In life, everything has a beginning and an end

In the time since, he has played very little tennis, as he continued to struggle with mobility issues and other smaller injuries. Acknowledging that he has been playing within limitation in the last two years, the King of Clay, said that it was not easy coming to the conclusion that the end was nigh. “In this life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he said.

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Nadal added that he was excited that his last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, where he will be representing his country, Spain, one last time, in what is a befitting full circle moment for him. Nadal played a major role in Spain’s Davis Cup victory in 2004.

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Nadal also spoke fondly of tennis rivals and friends Federer and Djokovic, and spent the most time thanking the support of his family, team and friends that helped him persevere and pursue his career over the years.

He had a special word of gratitude for fans. “And finally, you, the fans. I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment. Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” he said, winding up saying, “I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.”

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