Rafael Nadal has been one of professional tennis’s most striking, successful players throughout this storied career.
“Hello everyone, I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,“ Nadal said in the video. ”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.”
Nadal will be remembered as one of tennis’s all-time greats. He won 22 Grand Slam titles over his 20-year career at the French Open (14), U.S. Open (four), Wimbledon (two), and Australian Open (two).
He has also been part of four teams that won the illustrious Davis Cup. A statue of him resides next to the entrance gate at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,“ Nadal said in the video posted on Oct. 10. ”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, many hours with them, and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
The injuries have mounted for Nadal over the previous years. He has dealt with a foot condition called Mueller-Weiss syndrome, which includes early-onset degenerative arthritis. He also had abdominal injuries and underwent hip surgery last year.
Nadal competed in this summer’s Olympic Games, where he lost the singles competition to Novak Djokovic in the second round. He also participated in doubles with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, where they lost to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the quarterfinals.
However, Nadal pulled out of the U.S. Open for unspecified reasons.
Nadal was as gracious as ever when saying goodbye to his fans.
