Nadal will end his great career after a period of injuries
The 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal announced on Thursday that he will end his long and injury-plagued career after next month’s Davis Cup Finals. One of the best players in tennis is getting ready for an emotional farewell.
Nadal, who holds the record for most French Open titles with 14, had said before that he planned to retire this year after a hip injury that needed surgery limited his play in 2023.
The 38-year-old was a surprise choice for the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga from November 19th to 24th. He had not played since the July Olympics in Paris and missed the U.S. Open and Laver Cup because of health issues.
In a video shared on social media, Nadal said, “I’m here to let you know I’m retiring from professional tennis.”
“The truth is that these last two years have been especially hard.” I don’t believe I’ve ever been able to play freely.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make, 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,” said the former top player.
Along with his many French Open wins, Nadal has won two Australian Opens, two Wimbledon titles, four U.S. Opens, Olympic gold, and four Davis Cups. He said it felt right to end his career in the Spanish colors at the team event.
The “LAST TOURNAMENT”
Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, will be going with him again. The two played together at the Paris Games.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” Nadal said.
It was one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player to play in the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004. I feel like I’ve come full circle.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience.”
During his 23-year career, Nadal has had many injuries. He got a hip problem at the Australian Open in early 2023, which kept bothering him. He missed the French Open later that year and had surgery to try to get his career back on track.
But small problems and poor health kept him from playing in more than 23 games in the last two seasons.
This season, Nadal went back to Roland Garros, his favorite hunting ground, but was beaten in the first round by German Alexander Zverev. He politely declined a celebratory goodbye in the hopes of having one last chance next year.
KING OF CLAY
Since he has won 112 matches and lost only 24, Nadal has been called the “King of Clay.” His most recent win at the French Open was in 2022.
Two years after Roger Federer, Nadal will hang up his stick. Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who has won 24 majors, will be the only member of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis who is still playing.
Federer wrote the most moving messages to Nadal on social media. He said that he hoped the day his friend retired would never come.
“What a job, Rafa…” Thank you for all the great moments and amazing things you’ve done in the game we love. It has been a great honor!” The great Swiss man said.
Nadal thanked his family and team for helping him have such a great career. He also said a few words about his uncle Toni, who coached him for most of his time on the court.
“I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career,” he added.
Nadal told his fans, “I’m so grateful for how you’ve made me feel.” It’s been like a dream come true everything I’ve done.
“When I leave, I really feel calm because I know I did my best and tried my best in every way.” I just want to say “thank you all a million times over and see you soon.”
Nadal will likely get an emotional farewell at the French Open next year, and a similar show is likely to happen at the Davis Cup in his home country.
