Rafa Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has announced he will retire following the Davis Cup Finals next month, bringing an end to his remarkable yet injury-troubled career. The 38-year-old, renowned as one of the greatest tennis players, will bid an emotional farewell to the sport.
Nadal, who has won a record 14 French Open titles during his 23-year career, had previously indicated that he expected to retire this year after a hip injury that required surgery limited his appearances in 2023.
To the surprise of many, Nadal has been named in the squad for the Davis Cup Final 8, taking place from Nov. 19-24 in Malaga. This comes after his last competitive appearance at the Paris Olympics in July and his subsequent absence from the U.S. Open and Laver Cup due to fitness issues.
“It’s been some difficult years, especially these last two,” Nadal shared in a heartfelt video posted on social media. “I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup representing my country. It’s closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004.”
The ‘King of Clay’ has faced numerous injuries throughout his career, with a hip problem arising at the Australian Open in early 2023 that led him to miss the French Open later that year before undergoing surgery. Nadal has played only 23 matches over the past two seasons.
This season, Nadal returned to Roland Garros, his favorite court, but was defeated in the opening round by Alexander Zverev. Despite receiving an offer for a celebratory farewell, Nadal declined in hopes of making a final comeback.
Nadal’s legendary status in tennis is evident in his extraordinary 112-4 win-loss record at the French Open, where his last victory came in 2022. With his retirement, he follows his great rival Roger Federer, who stepped away from the sport two years ago, leaving Novak Djokovic as the only active member of the ‘Big Three.’
Federer paid tribute to Nadal on social media, expressing heartfelt sentiments: “What a career, Rafa… Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour!”
Nadal expressed gratitude to his family and his team, with special thanks to his uncle Toni, who coached him for most of his career. “I believe that thanks to him, I have been able to overcome many difficult situations in my sporting journey,” Nadal said.
To his fans, Nadal expressed deep appreciation: “I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel. Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true.” He concluded by saying, “I leave with the absolute peace of mind, knowing I gave my best.”
Nadal is expected to receive a touching tribute at Roland Garros next year, alongside a celebration of his career during the Davis Cup in front of his home crowd.
[Source: PARIS, Oct 10 (Reuters)]
