Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Tennis—His Last Tournament Will Be The Davis Cup Finals

10 Oct 2024 by Siladitya Ray · Forbes

Topline

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal announced Thursday he will retire from the sport after next month’s Davis Cup finals—capping off a legendary career with 22 Grand Slam titles and more than two decades of dominance in the men’s game alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals later this year.Getty Images

Key Facts

In an announcement across his social media, the Spanish tennis star spoke about his recent injury problems, adding that retiring was a “difficult decision” and one that has taken him some time to make.

Saying that everything in life “has a beginning and an end,” the former world number one said his career has been “long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”

The Spaniard said he’s excited that his final tournament will be the Davis Cup Finals, where he will get to represent his country.

The Spanish team, led by Nadal and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, will face the Dutch Davis Cup team in the quarter-final round of the event.

Big Number

14. That is the total number of French Open singles titles Nadal has won in his career, more than any other player in history. Among male tennis players, Sweden’s Bjorn Borg is a distant second with six titles, while the most successful singles female player at the French Open is Chris Evert with seven titles. Nadal’s fellow “Big Three” rivals Federer and Djokovic have won only one and three respectively.

Crucial Quote

Nadal said: “Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all.”

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