As Rafael Nadal retires, this illustration depicts him in action. He has announced his retirement from professional tennis during a press conference, reflecting on his legendary career and achievements, including 22 Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal  retires from professional tennis after the Davis Cup finals in November. He announced this on Oct 10. This decision signifies the end of an extraordinary career filled with accomplishments. Nadal, with 22 Grand Slam titles,  has built iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal shared in a video on social media. He added, “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.”

Nadal is 38 years old. He concludes his two decades career with 92 titles and $135 million in prize money. His status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time is firmly established.

Nadal will join Carlos Alcaraz on the Spain team as he aims for a fifth Davis Cup victory in Malaga next month. “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,” he expressed. Additionally, he conveyed excitement about his last tournament, saying, “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.”

Reflecting on his journey, Nadal noted, “I think I’ve come full circle.” He won his first Davis Cup in 2004 as a teenager, AFP reports.

As Rafael Nadal retires: Career highlights

Nadal dominated the French Open, securing an impressive 14 titles there. His first Grand Slam victory came just days after his 19th birthday in 2005. He briefly held the record as the oldest champion of the event in 2022, although that record was surpassed by Djokovic. Remarkably, Nadal lost only four times in 116 matches at Roland Garros.

In addition to his success in Paris, Nadal claimed four US Open titles, two Australian Open titles, and two Wimbledon titles. His five-set victory over Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played.

Moreover, Nadal achieved a career Golden Slam by winning Olympic gold in 2008. He spent 209 weeks as the world’s number one and remained in the top 10 from 2005 until March last year. Impressively, he won at least one title every year from 2004 to 2022.

Rivalries and challenges

Nadal’s rivalry with Federer saw him hold a 24-16 edge. He surpassed Federer’s total of 20 Grand Slam titles in 2022. In his 60 encounters with Djokovic, Nadal faced tough competition, with Djokovic leading by two matches.

Despite his illustrious career, Nadal struggled with various injuries. Ankle, wrist, knee, and abdominal issues forced him to miss 18 Grand Slam tournaments and withdraw mid-event five times. He once revealed that daily pain-killing injections were necessary to compete at the 2022 French Open.

After enduring significant injuries, Nadal faced a hip issue at the Australian Open in January, leading to an early exit. His wife, Mery, watched with concern as he struggled through the tournament.

Nadal sensed changes in his career during the 2022 Laver Cup, where he played alongside Federer in Federer’s final tournament. “When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too,” Nadal said.

By Theresa Young

Theresa Young, our talented sports writer, comes with seven years of experience in the field. Known for her sharp narratives and insightful commentary, Theresa has a deep passion for sports that shines through in her presentation. She also writes tips and trends on lifestyles. Her expertise ensures that readers receive top-notch coverage of the latest events and trends, especially in the sports world.

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