Nadal announces his retirement!

Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that he would be retiring from tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The Davis Cup finals (November 19-24, 2024), which he will contest with Spain, will therefore be his last official competition. He announced this in a video posted on his social networks (see below).

The passage of time (he turned 38 on June 3) and repeated injuries over the last few seasons have finally got the better of the Spaniard's perpetual desire to make a comeback. He will therefore be bringing a 23-year career to a close.

A career that saw him spend 209 weeks as world No.1 and win 22 Grand Slam titles, including an all-time record of 14 on the clay of Roland Garros. He has also lifted the Davis Cup 4 times with Spain (2004, 2009, 2011, 2019) and will attempt to do so a 5th time this November.

Rafael Nadal: "The reality is that the last few years have been difficult, especially the last two years. I don't think I've been able to play without feeling limited.

It's obviously a difficult decision, which took me a long time to make. In this life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I think it's the right time to put an end to what has been a long career, far more fruitful than I could ever have imagined.

I'm very happy that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup finals, representing my country. I think I've come full circle, because one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004 (3-2 victory over the USA). I feel super, super lucky for everything I've been able to experience.

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I can't thank you enough for the way you've made me feel. You gave me the energy I needed at every moment. Everything I've experienced has been a dream come true.

I'm leaving with the absolute peace of mind of having given the best of myself, of having made an effort in every area. I can only finish by saying a thousand thanks to you all and see you soon."