Rafael Nadal will play in his final tournament on the Davis Cup later this year. Clive Brunskill/Getty snap shots
CNN
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has introduced his upcoming retirement from the game after a glittering profession in which he accumulated 22 grand slam titles.
extensively seemed as one of the greatest tennis gamers of all time, Nadal’s very last event can be with Spain on the Davis Cup finals in November.
The 38-12 months-antique closing played on the Paris Olympics but persevering with damage struggles, which have hampered him throughout his profession, have seriously limited his time on the courtroom during the last seasons.
“hi there every body, I’m right here to will let you know that i’m retiring from expert tennis,” Nadal said in a video published on social media. “The fact is that is has been some hard years, these final in particular. I don’t think i have been able to play without barriers.
“it is glaringly a tough selection, one that has taken me some time to make. however on this lifestyles, the whole lot has a beginning and an quit.
“and i assume it’s the perfect time to place an quit to a profession that has been long and much more a hit than I ought to have ever imagined.”
Nadal, who become compelled the bypass remaining month’s Laver Cup over health worries, announced remaining year that 2024 could probable be his final season on the tour.
Nadal celebrates prevailing Wimbledon in 2010.
Nadal celebrates triumphing Wimbledon in 2010. Julian Finney/Getty pix
His 22 grand slam titles are the second one-maximum in records of fellows’s tennis in the back of only Novak Djokovic, his top notch lengthy-time rival, as are his 36 Masters one thousand titles.
Nadal has additionally gained singles and doubles gold for Spain on the Olympics and led his country to 5 Davis Cup titles.
Dubbed the “King of Clay” due to his wonderful dominance on the floor, Nadal gained 14 of his grand slams at the French Open and misplaced just 4 of his 116 matches in Paris.
He additionally received the united states Open four times and the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice, at the same time as his victory over Roger Federer inside the 2008 Wimbledon very last is widely considered the finest tennis match of all time.
“i’m very excited that my final event will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my usa,” Nadal introduced. “I suppose I’ve come complete circle due to the fact one of my first exquisite joys as a professional tennis participant changed into the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004. I experience incredible, exquisite lucky for all of the things I’ve been able to enjoy.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry. all the humans worried on this sport, my long-time colleagues, mainly my fantastic rivals. i’ve spent many, many hours with them and i’ve lived many moments that i can recollect for the relaxation of my life.
“speakme approximately my group is a touch bit extra difficult for me due to the fact in the long run, my group has been a completely critical part of my life. they are no longer co-workers, they may be friends. They had been by using my side at all of the times i’ve truly wanted them. Very bad moments, excellent moments.”
Nadal celebrates at some stage in the very last of the men’s singles competition on the Beijing Olympics.
Nadal celebrates during the very last of the men’s singles opposition at the Beijing Olympics. Elise Amendola/AP
Nadal had advised at some stage in the season that he may want to maintain playing into subsequent year if his frame allowed him to be aggressive.
After lacking the general public of 2023 due to a hip harm, Nadal lower back to competitive tennis at the Brisbane Open in January however changed into compelled to overlook the Australian Open with a thigh damage.
He has performed in simplest six tournaments in view that then, maximum these days the Paris Olympics in which he lost to Djokovic inside the 2d round of the guys’s singles.
“I depart with absolutely the peace of thoughts of having given my best, of getting made an attempt in each manner,” he stated.
Federer, whose contention with Nadal is arguably the best in tennis records, stated it was an “honor” to play towards the Spaniard. The pair shared a tearful second that went viral during Federer’s own retirement rite in 2022.
“What a career, Rafa!” Federer wrote on Instagram. “I usually was hoping at the moment might never come. thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your notable achievements in the game we like. It’s been an absolute honor!
Leave a Reply