GUWAHATI: Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from the game after the Davis Cup on Thursday, October 10.
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One of the most iconic figures of tennis, the 22-time Grand Slam champion shared an emotional video on social media, confirming that the upcoming Davis Cup final for Spain in November will mark his last appearance as a professional player.
In his retirement announcement, Nadal took to addressing the physical challenges he has faced in the tennis court during recent years. "The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially," he said. "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."
Nadal had previously withdrawn from the Laver Cup 2024, initially slated as his farewell event. This would have been his fourth appearance at the tournament, where he famously teamed up with his long-time rival and friend Roger Federer in Federer's final professional match in 2022.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Nadal has left an indelible mark on the sport. Among his 22 Grand Slam titles, a record 14 French Open victories stand out as a testament to his dominance on clay. In addition to his Grand Slam triumphs, Nadal has also claimed 92 ATP singles titles, 36 of which are Masters titles, and an Olympic gold medal.
He is also one of only three men in tennis history to complete the prestigious Career Golden Slam in singles, a feat that includes all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold.
Nadal ends his career with a remarkable 12-7 match record for the season, having last competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round. His legacy will undoubtedly endure as one of the greatest to ever embrace the sport.