Rafael Nadal confirms retirement after Davis Cup final
Spain’s tennis legend Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup final. The 38-year-old made the heartfelt decision public through a video statement, reflecting on a career filled with triumphs and challenges.
“It has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal stated. “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup representing my country. It’s closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004.”
Nadal’s retirement comes as the tennis world prepares for the Davis Cup knockout phase, scheduled for November 19-24. His illustrious career, marked by a record 14 French Open titles, has been overshadowed in recent years by injuries. He notably missed the 2023 French Open and faced a first-round exit at the hands of German Alexander Zverev earlier this year.
As Nadal prepares for his final bow, fans and fellow athletes alike are expected to celebrate the career of one of the sport’s all-time greats.
