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Rafael Nadal’s legendary career comes to an end at the Davis Cup

“The reality is that these last few years have been difficult, especially the last two. I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations,” said the Spaniard tennis legend

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from tennis at the end of this season. 

 

At 38 years old, the Spaniard will make his final appearance at the Davis Cup Finals next month in Málaga. Nadal has played very little over the past two seasons due to various injuries and had already hinted at his retirement by the end of 2024. 

 

In a video message released on Thursday, Nadal stated, “I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that these last few years have been difficult, especially the last two. I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations.”

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

Nadal retires as the second most successful men’s singles player of all time, only behind his eternal rival Novak Djokovic.

 

Known as the “King of Clay,” Nadal won the Roland Garros title 14 times, winning 112 out of the 116 matches he played in that tournament. 

 

No other player has won as many Grand Slam titles at the same tournament. Additionally, Nadal is a four-time US Open champion and won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice. He also won Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles and helped Spain secure four Davis Cup titles, the most recent in 2019.

 

Alongside Djokovic and Roger Federer, Nadal formed part of the “Big Three,” a trio that dominated men’s tennis since the 2000s and drew millions of fans.

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

Not the first time

Federer, who retired in 2022 and famously cried alongside Nadal then, expressed: “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the sport we love. It’s been an honor.”

 

When Nadal announced that he would not play in the 2023 French Open, he had already mentioned that he planned to retire at the end of 2024 due to the injuries that had taken a toll on his body. 

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

However, after returning this season, his statements about the future became increasingly uncertain. The former world number one had often expressed his desire to keep playing as long as his body allowed him. 

 

However, after a tough defeat to Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in July, he decided the time was right to retire. “It is obviously a difficult decision that has taken me time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

 

Nadal, who returned to competition in Brisbane in January, suffered a thigh injury that prevented him from participating in the Australian Open.

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

He played only four tournaments during the European clay season, culminating in a first-round defeat at the French Open. Since then, he has played just two more tournaments, in Bastad and the Olympic Games at Roland Garros. 

 

Last month, he was included in Spain’s squad for the Davis Cup Finals, which will be held from November 19th to 24th. 

 

“I think it is the right time to put an end to a career that has been longer and more successful than I ever imagined,” Nadal said. “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup Final, representing my country.”

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

An eternal passion 

From his childhood in Mallorca to becoming the “King of Clay,” Nadal started playing tennis at the age of three, guided by his uncle Toni, who encouraged him to play left-handed after noticing his strong ball-striking ability. 

 

He turned professional at 15, and three years later, he helped Spain win the 2004 Davis Cup by defeating American Andy Roddick, then world number two. 

 

In 2005, Nadal began his dominance at Roland Garros by defeating Argentine Mariano Puerta in the final. The 2008 Wimbledon final, in which he beat Federer in five sets, is considered one of the greatest matches in history. Among these triumphs, he also won the 2009 Australian Open and completed the Grand Slam at the 2010 US Open.

Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy
Nadal's Legendary Career Comes to an End at the Davis Cup / Photo via courtesy

Although he won all four major tournaments, Nadal will always be remembered for his achievements at Roland Garros, where a statue of him hitting his iconic forehand was erected in 2021. 

 

Between 2005 and 2014, Nadal won nine out of 10 titles in Paris and then five out of six between 2017 and 2022. In his 14 French Open final appearances, he was never taken to five sets, beating Federer in four finals and Djokovic three times. 

 

Of his four losses at the tournament, Djokovic defeated him twice, while Alexander Zverev and Robin Soderling were the other two players to beat him.

 

Nadal’s final Grand Slam title came at Roland Garros in 2022, just two days after his 36th birthday. 

 

His success and longevity are even more remarkable considering the numerous injuries he endured throughout his career, affecting various parts of his body, including his elbow, ankle, knee, wrist, back, hip, and abdomen.

We hope you enjoyed this article about Rafael Nadal, If you did, please share it with others. You might also be interested in reading our article about Shanghai Masters, or browsing other reviews in our Luster English section.

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