Rafael Nadal announced in a video posted X that his final professional event will be the Davis Cup Finals, which will be held in Malaga from November 19-24. Spain plays the Netherlands on the 19th, and it is full circle for Nadal, who first represented Spain in 2004 in Sevilla, Spain. Spain won that tournament, announcing Nadal’s arrival in his first year on the ATP circuit. Nadal is likely playing his 2024 Olympic doubles partner and fellow champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is not much older than Nadal was in 2004.
The 38-year-old Spaniard graciously acknowledged fellow tennis professionals, his team and his family. The video opened with a close-up of his face, greeting the camera by saying in Spanish:
“Hello, everyone. I am here to let you know 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 have been able to play without limitations.”
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, 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.”
The atmosphere will be electric, with fans from around the world gathering to witness the final chapter of the player simply known as “Rafa.”
One of the big three
Nadal will be forever associated with fellow legends and rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who are the three all-time champions who reigned in a golden era of men’s tennis. If Federer played the beautiful game, and Djokovic had speed, fitness and unsurpassed defense, Nadal was celebrated for a punishing playing style that combines power, precision and an indomitable spirit. His style was particularly well-suited for the clay courts, and he won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the French Open.
A lefty by choice
Nadal is naturally right-handed but plays tennis left-handed. This decision was influenced by his uncle and coach, Toni Nadal. When Rafael was young, Toni noticed that his nephew’s left hand was stronger while playing tennis, even though he did most other activities with his right hand. Toni suggested that Rafael switch to playing left-handed to gain a competitive edge, as it would make his shots more challenging for opponents. Interestingly, Nadal still writes and plays golf and basketball with his right hand, but his left side is dominant in tennis and soccer.
Off the court
Nadal has long been a global ambassador for tennis, inspiring millions with his humility, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. In recent years, he launched a tennis academy with Uncle Toni. The family was particularly important to Nadal, and he always returned to Mallorca, where he grew up and where his parents and extended family continue to live. He is now married to his wife, Mery, who he’s dated since he was a teen, and family remains a focus as their young son Rafael is a major inspiration in his father’s life. Nadal will also continue to focus on philanthropy, business and being more active at the academy.
As Nadal acknowledged in his video, recent years have been physically difficult. He performed super-human physical acts with a racquet in his hand, but the toll of the matches and training involved in preparing for these matches caught up with him. Regardless of the Davis Cup outcome, Rafa exits as one of the all-time greats.