Nadal's moving message announcing his retirement

Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis at the end of the 2024 season. He announced this in a video message published on his social networks on Thursday (see below). It's an emotionally-charged message in which the Spaniard appears with tears in his eyes as he talks about his loved ones. Here is the full transcript of the message.

Rafael Nadal: "Hello everyone, I'm here to announce that I'm retiring from professional tennis. 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, and one that 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. I feel super, super lucky for everything I've been able to experience.

I'd like to thank the whole tennis industry, all the people who make this sport, my team-mates for so many years, and especially my great rivals. I've spent so many hours with them and experienced so many moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

Talking about my team is a little more difficult for me, because at the end of the day, my team has played a very important role in my life. They're not co-workers, they're friends, and they've been there for me whenever I've needed them. Very bad times, very good times, times when they've had to help me hold on, times when they've had to help me let go. We've been through so much together that it's hard to explain.

Family means everything to me. My mother, I think she made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we'd always have everything. My wife, Mery. We've been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you've done. I think she's been my perfect traveling companion for all these years. Coming home and seeing every day how my son is growing has been a force that has really kept me going and given me the energy to keep going. Sister, I think we've always had an extraordinary relationship.

My uncle, it's thanks to him that I started playing tennis. I think it's thanks to him that I've been able to overcome many difficult situations in my sporting career. And my father, who has been an inspiration to me in every way. I think he's been an example of effort and surpassing oneself. A big thank you to my father in a very special way.

And finally, you, the fans. 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."