Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis at age 38, he announced in a video message Thursday, after winning 22 Grand Slam titles — 14 at the French Open — during an unprecedented era he shared with rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal has competed infrequently the past two seasons because of injuries and said next month's Davis Cup finals will mark his farewell to the sport. He had hip surgery in 2023 and entered just two of the past eight major tournaments.
“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,” Nadal said. “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.” Nadal's unrelenting, physical style of play — every point pursued as though it were his last, sprinting and sliding into place for that high-bouncing bullwhip of a lefty forehand — made him one of the greats of the game and the unquestioned King of Clay, the slow, red surface on which he dominated.
His record 14 French Open championships are more than anyone, man or woman, won at any one of the sport's four major tournaments, a dominance celebrated by a statue of Nadal that stands near the main entrance to the grounds of Roland Garros and in the shadow of its main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier.
In a result that symbolized where things stood for his body, and career, he exited in the French Open's first round this year, a straight-set loss to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.
Nadal returned to that site in southwest Paris for the Summer Olympics, where he lost to old rival Djokovic in the second round of singles and reached the quarterfinals of men's doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal hasn't played since. His goodbye will also come while representing Spain, at Malaga in the Davis Cup.
In addition to his French Open triumphs, he won four trophies at the U.S. Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, giving him a career Grand Slam.
“I think it is 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 said.
His last pair of major titles arrived in 2022, at Melbourne in January and at Paris in June, pushing him ahead of Federer, who held the men's record of 20 Grand Slam titles when he announced his retirement at age 41. Federer bid adieu in late 2022 by teaming with Nadal in a doubles match at the Laver Cup.
Both have since been surpassed by Djokovic, 37, who is up to 24 majors.
So much of Nadal's success was seen, fairly or not, through the prism of his encounters with Federer and Djokovic. The tennis world, and plenty outside of it, were consumed with the debate over which was most deserving of the “GOAT” — “Greatest Of All-Time” — moniker. The world, tennis or otherwise, was fascinated by their matchups, their differing styles and personalities.
Who among those who witnessed it could possibly forget Nadal vs. Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final? Or Nadal vs. Djokovic in the 2022 French Open quarterfinals? Or Nadal vs. Djokovic in the 2012 Australian Open final? And so on. Nadal played Djokovic 60 times, a record for two men in the Open era; Djokovic leads 31-29 overall, while Nadal leads 5-4 in Slam finals. Nadal met Federer 40 times; Nadal leads 24-16 overall, including 6-3 in Slam finals.
Undisputed King of clay
14 Nadal won a total of 14 French Open titles, the most by any player at a single Grand Slam. Of the 116 matches he played at the tournament he won 112 of them, earning $26 million in prize money in the process
3 Only three players have beaten him at the French Open. Robin Soderling managed it in 2009 when Nadal was hampered by a knee injury and Djokovic twice beat him, in 2015 when RaFa was again struggling physically, and in 2021
- Made his debut at the French Open in 2005 and has a 112-4 win-loss record at Roland Garros
- His 92 singles career titles include 22 Grand Slams, a record 14 French Open titles, and Olympic gold at Beijing 2008
- Has a total of 92 ATP singles titles to his name, including 36 Masters titles
- Has four US Open titles and has won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice
Wishes pour in
What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It's been an absolute honour!
Roger Federer, 20-time Grand Slam winner
It's tough news for, I think, all the tennis world, and not only the tennis world. What I can say, I was very lucky to get to know him also, like, you know, person's-wise, and he's an unbelievable person.He gave to all of us a lot of emotions when we saw him playing.
Jannik Sinner, World No. 1
Rafa don't retire I wanna play you one last time. We had our differences but you were one hell of a warrior. Best wishes and good luck with whatever comes next.
Nick Krygios, former Wimbledon runners-up
You are amazing! It's been so incredible to witness your greatness and work ethic and be able to learn from it. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter.
Coco Gauff, former US Open champion
Thank you Rafa for inspiring me and all of us. You will be missed.
Ons Jabeur, former World No. 2
"His mindset. Mentally he is the strongest player I've ever seen. I don't think we've seen anyone like him. His resilience and ability to overcome every situation, so many things that make him the strongest player mentally ever."
Cristiano Ronaldo
