Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from professional tennis

Rafale Nadal will officially retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The Spanish tennis star has announced on social media that at the age of 38 and after 22 Grand Slams, including 14 French Open titles, he is hanging up his racket due to injuries in recent years. This will be his last year as a professional tennis player.

Nadal's final event will be next month's Davis Cup in Malaga, where he will represent his country in Spain's match against the Netherlands from November 19-21. In a video statement, he calls it a full-circle moment, as one of his first successes was taking part in the “Davis Cup Final in Seville 2004”. In the video, he began addressing his fans: “I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been a difficult few years, these two especially. I don't think it was me. I can play without restrictions. It is of course a difficult decision that will take me some time. He adds: “But in this life everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it's the right time to end a long and much more successful career than I could have ever imagined.” Rafa shares that the Davis Cup will be his last event: “I'm very happy that My last tournament will be the Davis Cup final and represent my country. I think I've come full circle since one of my first great joys.” As a professional tennis player, I was at the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004. I feel super, super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience. I would like to thank the entire tennis industry.”

Since the beginning of his career, Rafa has achieved dominance in the sport of tennis. After playing against other tennis greats such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Rafa has continued to forge his own path since turning professional in 2001. In 2005 he won the French Open in his first attempt and later established dominance on clay like no other. He won 14 tournaments at Roland Garros in 18 years and also triumphed twice at the Australian Open, Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, and the US Open in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. Rafa has won four Davis Cup titles and will return next month for return to the cup for his last dance on the tennis court.