Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis
Tennis great shares social media post with news, with the upcoming Davis Cup Final being his last tournament as a professional player.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis, with the upcoming Davis Cup Final in Spain being his last tournament as a professional player.
A video posted on Nadal's official social media channels revealed the news on 10th October 2024.
In it, the Spaniard said: "I'm here to tell you that I'm retiring from professional tennis.
"It's been a rough few years, especially the last two. I haven't been able to play without limitations. It's been a difficult decision, one that has taken me a while to make, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end, and I think this is the right time to put an end to what has been a long and much more successful career than I could have ever imagined.
"I'm very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, representing my country. I think it's coming full circle, as one of my first great moments of joy was the [Davis Cup] final in Seville in 2004."
The Davis Cup Final 8 event 2024 takes place from 19-24 November in Malaga, Spain.
Nadal is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history. The former men's world number one has Olympic gold medals in singles (Beijing 2008), and doubles (Rio 2016), in addition to 22 men's singles grand slam titles including a record 14 at the French Open, making him the undisputed king of the clay courts.
"You are a legend. A true Olympian and a great champion who understands the power of sport to make the world a better place. Whatever you do next, I am certain you will continue to give everything you have - as you have done throughout your career. Hats off to you – chapeau!," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.