Madrid: Rafael Nadal, the former World No. 1 tennis player from Spain and a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has revealed that he will retire following next month’s Davis Cup final.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 38-year-old reiterated his decision to conclude his tennis career after the upcoming Davis Cup event.
Addressing his fans, he said, “I am stepping away from professional tennis. The last two years have been challenging, and I don’t believe I can perform at my best anymore. It was a difficult decision that took considerable time to reach, but all things in life have a beginning and an end.”
Throughout his career, Nadal faced numerous injuries that kept him out of several tournaments.
He was injured during the 2023 Australian Open and had to withdraw from the French Open before undergoing surgery. In the last two seasons, he managed to play only 23 matches.
He mentioned, “I think now is the right time to end my career, as it has been long and incredibly successful, exceeding anything I could have imagined. I am thrilled that my final tournament will be the Davis Cup final.”
Reflecting on the joy of representing his country, the Spanish star said, “I experienced happiness early in my professional career, starting with the 2004 final in Seville. I played with great passion and consider myself extremely lucky for all my accomplishments. I want to express my gratitude to the entire tennis community and everyone involved in the sport.”