(File) Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves as he departs after completing activities at the Paris Olympics. – Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP
MADRID — Rafael Nadal announced Thursday that he will retire from tennis at the age of 38 after next month’s Davis Cup final.
Nadal won 22 Grand Slam singles titles during an unprecedented era, rivaling the so-called Big Three of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
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“Truly, everything I’ve experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal said in an announcement on social media. “I leave with the absolute peace of mind that I gave it my all and tried every step of the way.”
Read: Rafael Nadal still aims to finish career in 2024
The Spaniard suggested his decision was related to lingering injury issues.
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“The reality is, it’s been a difficult year, especially the last two years. I don’t think I could have played without restrictions. This was obviously a difficult decision and it took me a while to make it. But in this life… , everything has a beginning and an end,” Nadal said.
Nadal’s relentlessly physical style of play, chasing every point as if it were his last, sprinting and sliding into position with the high-bouncing bullwhip of a left-handed forehand, has made Nadal very competitive in this game. made him one of the greatest players of all time and the undisputed king of clay. On the slow, red track, he won a record 14 French Open titles.
Read: Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking career is plagued by injury problems
This is more than any player, male or female, who has won any of the sport’s four major tournaments, an advantage reinforced by the bronze statue of Nadal that stands near the main entrance to the Roland Garros grounds and in the shadow of the main stadium court. It is celebrated. Philippe Chatrier.
Nadal added on Thursday that he is excited to end his career at the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain.
“I’m so excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final and I’ll be representing my country,” he said. “One of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004, so I think I’ve come full circle.”
Nadal has not played since the Paris Olympics, where he lost in the second round of the singles to his arch-rival Djokovic and reached the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
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“I think this is the right time to end a career that has been long and more successful than I ever imagined,” he said.
