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22-time grand slam champ Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional sport following November’s Davis Cup finals, following a tough few years plagued by injury.
Not to discount Rafa’s skill with the racquet: the man has taken home a record 14 French Open titles, and has spent much of his career as a member of the ‘Big Three’ fighting for dominance against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
In an emotional video message posted to X, Nadal thanked his team, family, fans, and rivals for pushing him to become the man he is, and reflected on just how difficult the past two years have been, which have seen him plagued by a number of injuries that have made competing professionally difficult. In the past two years, Nadal has played only 23 games due to a combination of a chronic condition impacting his left foot, known as Muller-Weiss Syndrome, and a hip injury that required surgery.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” Nadal said.
“It’s obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.”
Nadal’s final tournament will see him competing in doubles with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in what the Davis Cup is calling “a passing of the baton”.
Proving that fierce competition forges friendships, long-time rivals Fedcerer and Djokovic crafted heartfelt response tributes to Nadal as he steps into the end of his tennis career.
“One post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport,” Djokovic wrote on X. “Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades your legacy will live forever.”
Federer, who retired from the game in 2022, thanked Nadal for everything he had done for the sport.
“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!” Federer said.
While the end is in sight, Nadal is focused on delivering his best at the Davis Cup, which he said will feel like he is closing the circle on one of his first major wins of his career: winning the Cup in Sevilla in 2004.
“I leave with the absolute peace of mind having given my best,” he added.
