Rafael Nadal has announced that he will retire from professional tennis after participating in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, this November.

“The truth is that these past few years have been tough, especially the last two. I don’t think I’ve been able to play without restrictions,” the 38-year-old shared in a video released on Thursday, October 10.

“This was not an easy decision, and it took me some time to make. But in life, everything has a beginning and an end.”

Nadal first entered the professional scene at 15 during a Challenger Tournament in Seville and has since claimed 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open victories. He will end his career with an incredible 112-4 record at Roland Garros, where he lost his final Grand Slam match earlier this year to Alexander Zverev.

In 2008, Nadal ended Roger Federer’s five-year winning streak at Wimbledon in a marathon final that lasted 4 hours and 48 minutes, marking a key moment in their 15-year rivalry. Alongside Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Federer dominated men’s tennis as the ‘Big Three,’ collectively winning 66 Grand Slam titles. Federer retired in 2022 at age 41, while Djokovic continues to play.

Though the 2008 Wimbledon final is often regarded as one of the greatest matches in history, Nadal’s 2012 Australian Open final against Djokovic, which stretched for 5 hours and 53 minutes, and their 2009 semifinal in Madrid, which Nadal won in three sets, also stand among the best.

Nadal will depart the sport as one of the all-time greats, alongside Federer and Djokovic.

“I feel incredibly fortunate for all the experiences I’ve had. I want to express my gratitude to the tennis world, my colleagues, and particularly my great rivals,” Nadal said.

“I believe it’s the right moment to bring an end to a career that has been long and far more successful than I could have ever imagined.”

Nadal’s last Grand Slam victory came at the 2022 French Open, where he competed with his left foot numbed by injections. He later tore his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon and sustained another injury at the 2023 Australian Open. His final singles match was at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he lost decisively to Djokovic, who went on to win gold. Nadal previously secured his own Olympic gold in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Nadal is expected to play in the Davis Cup with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who, at 21, has already won four Grand Slam titles.

‘A wave of emotion from beyond tennis’

Commentary from Charlie Eccleshare

While Nadal’s retirement isn’t entirely unexpected, it still feels monumental.

It’s hard to imagine men’s tennis without Nadal. For nearly two decades, he has been an iconic and unmatched figure in the sport. His influence extends far beyond tennis, as seen in the flood of emotional reactions from athletes in other sports, especially in football and particularly in Spain.

It wasn’t just what Nadal achieved on the court, but how he achieved it. He blended fierce intensity with exceptional sportsmanship, initially challenging and then redefining the limits for clay-court players.

After winning his first French Open in 2005, Nadal developed one of the most versatile games in tennis history, earning 22 Grand Slam titles and becoming one of the best volleyers by the end of his career. In addition to his 14 French Open titles, he also won two Wimbledons, two Australian Opens, and four U.S. Opens.

His rivalry with Federer dominated the 2000s, captivating a larger global audience than ever before. Their 2008 Wimbledon final is often hailed as the best match ever played, though Nadal’s 2012 Australian Open final against Djokovic and their 2009 clay-court encounters are also among the greatest.

For many, Nadal is not only one of the best players ever but perhaps the fiercest competitor, wielding what is likely the most devastating forehand in tennis history.

Sports stars inevitably retire, and logically, we knew this moment would come. Yet Nadal seemed almost invincible, repeatedly overcoming serious injuries to return to the top, as he did by winning the 2022 French Open on one good foot.

At 38, he has finally faced one injury too many, and the time has come to say goodbye. His legacy, however, will endure forever.