Rafael Nadal reacts waves after the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France.
Rafael Nadal Retirement: 'Rafa' To Bid Adieu To Tennis In Nov - In Pics
Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis at age 38, he announced in a video message Thursday, after winning 22 Grand Slam titles — 14 at the French Open — during an unprecedented era he shared with rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal has competed infrequently the past two seasons because of injuries and said next month’s Davis Cup finals will mark his farewell to the sport. He had hip surgery in 2023 and entered just two of the past eight major tournaments. “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,” Nadal 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.”
Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning a point against Frances Tiafoe during U.S. Open tennis in 2022
| Photo: AP/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates after winning a point against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in New York.
Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Marton Fucsovics at the 2024 Summer Olympics
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez, File
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory over Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France.
Spain's Rafael Nadal lifts the trophy at the French Open tennis tournament in 2022
| Photo: AP/Christophe Ena, File
Spain's Rafael Nadal lifts the trophy after winning the final match against Norway's Casper Ruud in three sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0, at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand return to Yannick Hanfmann at the Australian Open in 2022
| Photo: AP/Andy Brownbill, File
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand return to Yannick Hanfmann of Germany during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
Rafael Nadal leaves the court after losing against Alexander Zverev at the Mutua Madrid Open in 2021
| Photo: AP/Bernat Armangue, File
Spain's Rafael Nadal leaves the court after losing against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021.
An emotional Roger Federer alongside his playing partner Rafael Nadal after their Laver Cup doubles match in London, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
| Photo: AP/Kin Cheung, File
An emotional Roger Federer, left, of Team Europe sits alongside his playing partner Rafael Nadal after their Laver Cup doubles match against Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 arena in London, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
Rafael Nadal holds the trophy as he celebrates winning 2018 French Open tennis tournament
| Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino, File
Spain's Rafael Nadal holds the trophy as he celebrates winning the men's final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Austria's Dominic Thiem at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, June 10, 2018.
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