“Everything has a beginning and an end,” Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced that he will retire from the sport after the Davis Cup finals.

“Everything has a beginning and an end,” Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis

Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)

After months of speculation, Rafael Nadal has announced that he will be retiring from tennis. In a video he shared on social media, the Spaniard stated that he would hang up his racket after the Davis Cup finals.

The former World No. 1 took to social media to say thank you in 12 languages, along with a video announcing the news. He said that injuries have troubled him in recent years and that he has been unable to play without limitations.

YouTube video

Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.
The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.

Rafael Nadal said

Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles, said that he has had more success than he could ever imagine. The 38-year-old expressed gratitude and said that it was the right time for him to bring the curtain down on his professional career. He said that he was excited to finish his career by representing his country at the Davis Cup.

FS Video

In this life, everything has a beginning and 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. But, I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.

Rafael Nadal continued
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The Mallorca native said that finishing his career at the Davis Cup would mean that his life came full circle. He finished by thanking everyone who played a role in his career.

I think I’ve come full circle since one of my great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004. I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry. All the people involved in this sport, my long-term colleagues, especially my great rivals, I have spent many, many hours with them, and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Rafael Nadal concluded

Earlier this year, Spain sealed their spot in the knockout stage of the 2024 Davis Cup. Put in Group B, they beat France and the Czech Republic to confirm their spot. Last month, Nadal’s inclusion in the squad for Spain’s Final Eight match was announced. He will be joined by Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Marcel Granollers.

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Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup: A summary

Spain has had a rich Davis Cup history even before Rafael Nadal came into the picture. His arrival only improved their record in the competition, and he has led his country to five titles in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019.

Nadal made his Davis Cuo debut in 2004 and it did not get off on the right note. He lost his very first singles match against Jiri Novak. He then lost his first doubles match, alongside Tommy Robredo, against Novak and Radek Stepanek.

However, the 38-year-old proved his worth when it mattered, beating Stepanek in the decisive singles tie to send his country into the quarterfinals. Spain then defeated the Netherlands 4-1 to advance to the semifinals, where they faced France.

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Nadal won both of his matches to help Spain beat French 4-1. They then beat USA 3-2, with the 22-time Major champion beating Andy Roddick in his only singles tie in the final, to clinch their second Davis Cup title and Nadal’s first.

After losing his doubles tie against Italy during the World Group play-offs in 2005, Nadal has only tasted success in the competition. He has helped Spain claim four more titles (2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019). Spain also finished as the runner-up in 2012. He holds a combined 37-5 win-loss record in Davis Cup, 29-1 in singles and 8-4 in doubles.