Rafael Nadal, 38, has announced that he will retire from professional tennis after playing for Spain in his final Davis Cup appearance next month in Malaga.
Nadal has hardly played over the last two seasons due to injuries and had hinted that he might retire by the end of 2024. In a video message on Thursday, Nadal said, "I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. The past few years, especially the last two, have been tough. I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations."
Nadal retires as the second most successful men's singles tennis player, just behind his long-time rival Novak Djokovic. Known as the "King of Clay," Nadal won the French Open 14 times, an unmatched record, winning 112 of his 116 matches at Roland Garros.
He also won four US Open titles, two Wimbledon titles, and two Australian Open titles. In addition, Nadal earned Olympic gold in both singles and doubles and helped Spain win the Davis Cup four times, most recently in 2019.
Together with Djokovic and Roger Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam titles, Nadal was part of the "Big Three" that dominated men's tennis from the early 2000s, attracting millions of fans worldwide.
Federer, who retired in 2022, said, "What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and achievements in the game we love. It has been an absolute honor."
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