Tennis icon Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The 38-year-old Spanish legend revealed that his final tournament will be the Davis Cup, marking the end of an extraordinary career.
In an emotional video message, Nadal reflected on the challenges he's faced over the past few years. "It has been some difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal said. He expressed excitement about concluding his career by representing Spain in the Davis Cup, noting that it brings his journey full circle. "It's closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004," he added.
Renowned for his dominance at the French Open, where he claimed an unparalleled 14 titles, Nadal’s retirement signifies the end of an era in tennis. His last victory at Roland Garros was in 2022, cementing an astounding 112-4 win-loss record on the Paris clay.
Injuries have plagued Nadal in recent years, forcing him to miss the 2023 French Open and suffering a first-round exit to Alexander Zverev that same year. Despite these setbacks, Nadal remains celebrated as the "King of Clay" and one of the most resilient and versatile players the sport has ever seen.
The Davis Cup knockout phase, where Nadal will play his final matches, is scheduled for November 19-24.
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