The Balearic player will end his career at the age of 38 at the conclusion of the Davis Cup Final 8.

Rafa Nadal, widely regarded as the greatest tennis player in Spain’s history and winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 38. His decision comes after a series of injury-plagued years that have hindered his ability to play at full capacity. The Majorcan tennis legend revealed that he will conclude his career following the Davis Cup final with Spain, scheduled to take place from November 19 to 24 in Málaga.

“I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that these past few years, especially the last two, have been difficult. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” Nadal stated in a heartfelt video shared on his social media platforms.

Nadal addresses the camera, his voice breaking, and continues his explanation while Marc Maury’s iconic voice, the Roland Garros announcer, can be heard in the background: “The reality is that the last two years have been difficult, and I haven’t been able to play without limitations. It’s a tough decision, one that has taken me time, but in life, everything has a beginning and an end. I believe it’s the right moment to bring an end to what has been…”

The 38-year-old from Manacor has 92 titles to his name, 22 of which are Grand Slam titles. He has also won gold medals at the Games, both in singles and doubles, and five Davis Cups. He will be looking for a sixth in his list of achievements, which would be the seventh for Spanish tennis at the Martín Carpena in Malaga.

He hangs up his racket with an impressive record of 1,080 match wins and 227 losses, cementing his place as the undisputed king of clay. On this surface, he has claimed 63 titles, 14 of which were at Roland Garros. His effectiveness on clay is unmatched, boasting a winning percentage of 90%, with a staggering 484 victories against only 51 defeats.

“I feel incredibly fortunate for all the experiences I’ve been able to live. I want to thank everyone in the tennis world, all those who make up this sport, and especially my teammates throughout the years—particularly my great rivals. I’ve spent countless hours with them and shared moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Nadal reflects, while iconic images of his epic battles against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are shown.

The national team will open the quarterfinals against the Netherlands on Tuesday 19 November at 17:00. Captain David Ferrer’s idea is for the best Spanish athlete in history to open fire with Botic van de Zandschulp.

“I’m really excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, representing my country. I think it’s like closing the circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004,” he recalls. A very young Rafa became known to the world when he defeated Andy Roddick, the number two at the time, at the age of 18.

CREDITS: 

Director: Alejandro Bernal
Text : Max Hackenbroich