'A tough decision': Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis at 38 | Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of this season, after next month's Davis Cup final.

Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, second only to Novak Djokovic on the men's all-time list with 24. Fourteen of those have come at Roland Garros, his most dominant streak of any player in the history of the game, compiling an unprecedented 112. 4 French Open feat. Nadal won all four major titles multiple times and spent 209 weeks at the top.

“It was a difficult decision that took me a while to make,” Nadal said in a video announcing his retirement posted on several social media platforms. “But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. I think it is the right time to end a career that has been longer and more successful than I ever imagined.

Nadal appeared on the ATP Tour more than two decades ago and quickly challenged Roger Federer's dominance, establishing himself as one of the greatest young players tennis has ever seen. Their rivalry, underscored by contrasting playing styles and approaches, reignited global interest in the sport and is considered by many to be the golden age of men's tennis.

They are joined at number one by Djokovic, who along with Nadal will push the physicality of the game to new limits with their many trifling battles. Their match is now the most prolific men's match of the Open era; The pair have met 60 times, with Djokovic leading 31-29.

As Nadal established his clay-court dominance, he steadily improved elsewhere, his style of play helping to transform the game. The vicious, heavy topspin he produces is unlike anything seen before. With his paradigm-shifting forehand, supreme athleticism and intelligence, Nadal has established himself as a player who continues to improve. He produced a complete game, beating Federer and finally winning Wimbledon in 2008. One of the best matches of all time.

“I feel very lucky for all the things I've been able to experience,” Nadal added. “I would like to thank the entire tennis industry, everyone involved in the sport, my long-time colleagues and especially my great rivals.

“I spent many hours with them and lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Along with his success, Nadal's career has also been defined by injury. His physical playing style and health issues, particularly Müller-Weiss syndrome, a degenerative disease in his leg, led him. Sidelined for significant periods. Those physical struggles make sustained success at Roland Garros all the more remarkable.

Despite his physical problems, Nadal has enjoyed incredible longevity. His last two Grand Slam titles came at the Australian Open and the French Open in 2022, a final remarkable comeback season. However, injuries have plagued him recently. After the 2020 Covid break, Nadal struggled to stay fit when a chronic leg injury recurred and was forced to withdraw with an abdominal injury. Before the 2022 Wimbledon semi-finals. Nadal suffered a physical setback from hip surgery last year. As he prepared for that operation, Nadal warned that 2024 would be his final year as a player.

When he returned to competition during the clay court season in April, Nadal was hopeful of extending his career. He clearly enjoyed playing again, working with his team every day to accomplish their goals, competing in tournaments and traveling with his family.

Ultimately Nadal's physicality, and some brutal match draws, played a significant role in his decision, and he cited “not being able to play without limitations” over the past two years as a major factor. He was hoping to do well at the French Open and Olympics at Roland Garros. At the French Open, his hopes of gradually building up his position ended when he drew eventual finalist Alexander Zverev in the first round. He suffered a hamstring injury days before the Olympics, where he lost in the second round to eventual gold medalist and old rival Djokovic.

Nadal has not competed since his doubles run with Carlos Algaraz ended at Paris 2024 and now has only one official stop in his career. After a lucrative exhibition with other top players in Saudi Arabia, Nadal will end his career in front of his home crowd. The Davis Cup finals begin in Malaga on November 19.

“My last match will be the Davis Cup final and I am very excited to represent my country,” he said. “I think I have come full circle as a professional tennis player since the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.

“I leave with complete peace of mind that I gave my best and tried in every way; I will end by saying thank you very much and see you soon.