Paris : Spanish tennis icon Rafa Nadal has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, with the Davis Cup final in November 2024 set to be his final tournament.
The 38-year-old, who has won an impressive 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record-breaking 14 French Open titles, revealed the news in a video on Thursday.
Reflecting on his decision, Nadal stated, “It has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” referring to his struggles with injuries that have hampered his career in recent seasons.
Nadal expressed his excitement about ending his illustrious career by representing Spain in the Davis Cup, saying, “It’s closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004,” a reference to his early career success when he helped Spain win the Davis Cup.
Injuries have troubled Nadal in recent years, causing him to miss the 2023 French Open and limiting his appearances on the court. Earlier this year, he was knocked out in the first round by Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Despite these setbacks, Nadal’s legacy remains intact, with his most recent triumph at Roland Garros in 2022 leaving him with a remarkable 112-4 win-loss record on the Paris clay.
Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of the greatest players in tennis history.
The tournament’s knockout phase will take place from 19th to 24th of November, marking the final chapter in his extraordinary career.
