Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player with 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup final. The 38-year-old made the announcement via a heartfelt video, expressing that it has been a challenging few years, particularly the last two.
Nadal shared his excitement about representing Spain in the Davis Cup as his final tournament, reflecting on the significance of the event in his career. He recalled his early joy when he played in the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004, noting that this moment feels like a fitting way to conclude his storied journey in tennis.
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The Davis Cup knockout phase is scheduled to take place from November 19-24. Throughout his illustrious career, Nadal has been plagued by injuries, which have affected his participation in various tournaments, including missing the 2023 French Open and suffering an early exit in the first round against Alexander Zverev this year.
Nadal’s last triumph at Roland Garros came in 2022, leaving him with an impressive 112-4 win-loss record on the clay courts of Paris. His retirement marks the end of an era for tennis, as he is celebrated not only for his remarkable achievements but also for his sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.
