The Spaniard published a video on his networks to announce the moment when he planned to end his career.
Period. Rafael Nadal (38 years old, fell to 158e world rank) announced this Thursday in a video that he would retire after the Davis Cup (from November 19 to 24, in Malaga). “I am here to tell you that I am leaving professional tennis… In life, everything has a beginning and an end and I think the time has come to end my career, which has been long and much more more successful than I could have imagined.”
A professional since 2001, the Spaniard has won 22 Grand Slam titles (2 Australian Opens, 14 Roland-Garros, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open) and 36 Masters 1000 titles. This formidable court marathoner also includes 2 Olympic gold medals (one in singles in 2008, one in doubles with Marc Lopez in 2016) and 4 Davis Cup victories (2004, 2009, 2011, 2019).
But the last few years, in the shadow of his legend, have been an ordeal due to injuries. Since an elimination in 2e round of the Australian Open in 2023 against the American Mackenzie McDonald, he had to be content with brief and often painful appearances. He only played 19 matches (12 victories), including 3 at Roland-Garros (1 victory). His career was hanging by a thread. That of a fierce will which allowed him to swallow all the obstacles, to come back from the injuries which littered his career. He wanted a little more. To find expensive places. One last tour…
This summer, he was one of the last bearers of the Olympic flame, a torch passed on by Zinédine Zidane. A moment which symbolized his place in the world of sport and the attachment that France had for this player who had made Roland-Garros his favorite playground.
A huge page in the history of tennis is turning. In September 2022, in London during the Laver Cup, Rafael Nadal accompanied the exit and shared Roger Federer’s tears, at the end of a double loaded with symbols. That day, he admitted to having felt “an important part of (his) life to leave”. In turn, this work monster is preparing to leave the stage. With one last chapter to write during the Davis Cup final: “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup Final, and to represent my country there. I think it’s a way of coming full circle when one of my first great joys as a professional player was the final (in 2004).” Coming full circle with the feeling of duty accomplished.
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