Rafael Nadal will perform at his last event, the Davis Cup, in November in Malanga.
One of the most renowned public figures has won 22 Grand Slam titles including 14 at the French Open, announced the news in a video message posted on X.
He said: “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.”
Nadal added: “The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
“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.”
The tennis legend’s career has been full of injuries, he missed the 2023 French Open and was beaten in the first round by German Alexander Zverev this year.
He won his last Roland Garros title in 2022 and left the tournament on a jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record.
Nadal’s successes came during an extraordinary period when he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and, for a while, Andy Murray, dominated the sport.
“I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” Rafael Nadal further said.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals.
“I have spent many hours with them and have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Nadal added he was “very excited” to finish his career at the Davis Cup.
“I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he said.
“But, I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.
“I think I’ve come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup Final in Seville in 2004.”
