Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from professional tennis

Rafael Nadal has announced he is to retire from professional tennis.

The 38-year-old Spaniard, who won 22 grand slam titles including 14 at the French Open, revealed the news in a video message posted on X.

He said: “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.”

Nadal, the Wimbledon champion in 2008 and 2010, has struggled with various injuries over the last couple of years.

He added: “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.

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.

“But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024

Nadal also announced that his final match will be for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, in what will be a fitting and emotional end to an illustrious career.

A teenage Nadal was part of the Spain team which defeated the USA to win the trophy on home soil 20 years ago.

“I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he said.

“But, I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.

“I think I’ve come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup Final in Seville in 2004.”