Tennis star Rafael Nadal, 38, announced his plan to retire from professional tennis in a big announcement this morning.
Nadal, known as one of Spain’s greatest athletes, shocked fans with news of his retirement after the Davis Cup in November 2024.
“Many thanks to all,” he wrote in several languages on X.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion reflected on his career, calling it “longer and more successful” than he ever imagined.
“Hello everyone, I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal said in a video posted on social media.
“The reality is that is 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.”
In 2022, Nadal became a father for the first time, naming his son Rafael, just like him.
