Rafael Nadal will retire at the end of 2024. The Spanish player, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, will leave an indelible mark of his more than twenty years in world Tennis. His departure will mark the end of an era and Carlos Alcaraz, who admires Nadal, revealed that the Mallorcan's decision was irrevocable.
From this Tuesday, November 19, the final phase of the Coupe Davis will begin. Rafael Nadal has already arrived in Spainwhere his last dance will take place. Spain face the The Netherlands and spectators will be able to see the legend's last minutes on a tennis court, before his final withdrawal from competition.
“I am retiring from professional tennis”
On October 10, Rafael Nadal announced in a video that he would retire after the Davis Cup : « I announce to you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that the last few years have been difficult. I don't think I was able to play without discomfort. It's obviously a difficult decision, which took me some time. But in life everything has a beginning and an end. I think it's a good time to end a career that has been long and successful, more than I could have imagined. »
“A difficult decision to make”
For his part, Carlos Alcaraz reacted to this announcement, in comments reported by We Love Tennis : « What if I tried to convince him not to stop? No, not really. I would have liked to do it. I know the decision has been made. I asked him if announcing his retirement had been a difficult day, if it was a difficult decision to make. He told me yes, but that it was a considered decision, which should not be taken lightly. She was meditated on with her family, with her team, these are her feelings. If someone had told me that I had a chance to convince him to continue, I would have done it and I would have tried because I don't want to see him leave the courts.»
