Tennis Legend Rafael Nadal announced his retirement at the age of 38 after winning the 22 Grand Slam events in his career, the era where he competed with his big rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The Spanish legend broke the news via a heartfelt video on social media, expressing his gratitude for the support throughout his career he had.
Nadal’s Davis cup finals will be his last stint in tennis court in Malaga, this November). “Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal stated on social media, adding “I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end, and I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
Leaving the court and his decision to retire from the sport, due to injury problems which he was suffering from the first match of the Paris Olympics where he last featured at. The Davis Cup will be his first appearance after the Olympics. Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals between November 19 and 21, with Nadal added to the squad after recovering from an injury that kept him out of play in the group stage.
One of his career highlights was 2004 Davis Cup where young Nadal helped the team to secure the title. Nadal also won four trophies in the U.S. Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, giving him a career Grand Slam.
His last pair arrived in 2022, at Melbourne in January and at Paris in June, pushing him ahead of Roger Federer for the men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Federer announced his retirement when he was 41 at the end of the 2022 season, shortly before bidding adieu by teaming with Nadal in a doubles match at the Laver Cup. Both have been surpassed by Novak Djokovic, who is up to 24.
Nadal’s court shattering records, and legacy will always remind tennis lovers of what a legend he was every time he stepped on the court and faced the best in the world.
