At the age of 38 – One of the greatest quits: Rafael Nadal resigns – Sport
Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from elite sport at the age of 38.
The Spaniard’s last major appearance will be in Malaga, where he will play in the final round of the Davis Cup with Spain (November 19th to 24th).
With 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal is one of the most successful tennis players in history.
What was in the air for a long time is now a fact: tennis star Rafael Nadal is ending his career after this season. As the 22-time Grand Slam winner said in an emotional video message on Thursday X announced that the Davis Cup finals in November in Malaga, which he will play with Spain, will be the last tournament for the 38-year-old.
«In life everything has a beginning and an end. “I think it’s the right moment to end my career,” he said, looking back on his career in a video message. «The reality is that the last two years have been very difficult. I wasn’t able to play without restrictions,” said the 38-year-old.
In the video he also pays tribute to his long-time rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic: “I spent so many hours with them. They are moments that I will probably never forget.” Nadal had already announced in May of the previous year that he wanted to end his glorious career in 2024. However, he added: “I can’t say 100 percent because you never know what will happen.”
A power on sand
The Spaniard looks back on an extremely successful career. The native Mallorcan was practically invincible on clay. He lifted the trophy 14 times at the French Open, plus two titles each at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and four titles at the US Open. With 22 titles at major level, he leaves all tennis greats behind him, apart from Djokovic (24).
Nadal’s 22 major titles in flashback
With 209 weeks as number 1, he is number 6 in this category, without Federer and Djokovic being active at the same time it would be much more. The Mallorcan was also Olympic champion in singles in 2008 and in doubles in 2016 (with Marc Lopez).
Plagued by injuries
Nadal’s career was repeatedly marked by injuries. Since his last victory at the French Open in June 2022, during which he had to anesthetize his foot with painkillers for each use, he has only played 37 singles. In his “living room” in Paris, he had to give up in the first round this year after a defeat against Alexander Zverev.
In the run-up to the Olympic Games he reached another ATP final in Bastad, but nothing came of his 93rd title. His body no longer allowed him to chase victories against the best.