Rafael Nadal is retiring from tennis at the end of the season

Tennis star Rafael Nadal will retire from the sport at the end of the year.

Nadal, 38, has had an amazing career in which he has won 22 Grand Slams, including 14 French Open titles. However, he has been hampered by injuries in recent years and he announced Thursday that this will be his final year in the sport.

He will play for Spain against the Netherlands at the Davis Cup in Malaga from November 19th to 21st. This will be his final act on the tennis court, in a sport where he was considered the four modern greats of the men's game alongside Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal said in a video statement posted on social media. “The reality is that it has been a difficult few years, particularly these two. I don't think I could play without restrictions. It’s obviously a difficult decision that will take me some time.”

“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.”

“I am very happy that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final and representing my country. I think it's come full circle for me because one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004. I feel super, super lucky for all the things I was able to experience. I would like to thank the entire tennis industry.”

Nadal turned professional in 2001 and won the French Open at his first attempt in 2005. From then on, he achieved remarkable dominance on clay, winning 14 tournaments in 18 years at Roland Garros (2005-08, 20-14, 2017-20, 2022).

He also triumphed at the Australian Open (2009, '22), Wimbledon (2008, '10) and the US Open (2010, '13, '17, '19).

His victory over Roger Federer on Center Court at the All England Club in 2008 is widely regarded as one of the finest matches men's sport has ever seen. Nadal triumphed 6:4, 6:4, 6:7 (5). 6-7 (8), 9-7. He also won Olympic gold in men's singles in 2008 and men's doubles in 2016 and was No. 1 in the world for 209 weeks.

Nadal is already immortalized at Roland Garros with a statue in front of Court Philippe-Chatrier, and it will be his dominance on clay that he will remain synonymous with even in retirement.

In recent years, Nadal has struggled with injuries. He suffers from Müller-Weiss syndrome in his foot – a condition that led to him using anesthetic injections to get through the 2022 French Open – and has struggled with abdominal injuries in recent years.

He missed this year's Australian Open but managed to play at the French Open, where he lost in the first round to Alexander Zverev. However, his focus this year has been on playing in both the French Open and the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros. He made it to the Olympic Games, where he reached the quarterfinals in the men's doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz.

Nadal's 23-year career contains several notable achievements. His record at Roland Garros is 112 wins and only four defeats. As a reflection of his incredible longevity, there were 13 years between his two Australian Open triumphs. He competed in 30 Grand Slam finals, winning 22 and claiming 92 ATP Tour level singles titles.

He also won four Davis Cup titles.

“I am very lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” said Nadal. “I would like to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals. I spent many, many hours with them and experienced many moments that I will remember.” It's a little harder for me for the rest of my life because ultimately my team was a very important part of my life. They are not just colleagues.

“And finally, you fans – I can’t thank you enough for what you have inspired in me. You really give me the energy I needed every moment.”

“Everything I experienced was a dream come true. I leave with the absolute certainty that I did my best and made an effort in every way. Finally, I can only say a thousand thanks to all of you. We'll see each other soon.”