Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis at end of season

Rafael Nadal will forever be synonymous with the French Open, where a metallic statue of him hitting his trademark forehand was built in 2021

Last month, Rafael Nadal appeared on the popular Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, where he opened up about his illustrious two-decade journey in professional tennis and the inherent challenges of parenthood.

“The two have intermingled over the past year,” Nadal said. “Since my son has come into this world, I have not won anything. But in life, in most things, it has changed me for the better. In the end, I have lost and been injured, but whatever happens, coming home and seeing him changes my mood,” he told co-host Pablo Motos.

After November, Nadal will finally have all the time in the world for his two-year-old son, Rafael Nadal Jr.

 

On Thursday, the 38-year-old announced in a video message that he would be retiring at the end of this season. The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles will make his final appearance at the Davis Cup in Malaga next month.

“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially the last two years. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” he said.

The announcement does not come as a shock. Those who have been following Nadal knew that retirement was on the horizon.

Earlier this year, the Spaniard asserted that 2024 would be his final year as an international sportsperson after a series of injuries took a toll on his body.

“It does leave a huge vacuum in the world of tennis. What he has achieved over the past two decades is nothing short of inspirational. His accomplishments on the clay courts at Roland Garros will remain a benchmark for future tennis players,” Zeeshan Ali, India’s Davis Cup coach and a former player who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, told Business Standard.

Nadal walks into the sunset as the second-most successful men’s singles tennis player of all time, behind bete noire Novak Djokovic.

Dubbed the ‘King of Clay’, Nadal has won 14 titles at Roland Garros, along with four wins at the US Open and two each at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Alongside Djokovic and Roger Federer, the trio famously earned the moniker ‘The Big Three’ who dominated the international tennis circuit for two decades.

‘Rafa’, as he is popularly known, was much more than just his statistical accomplishments. He was barely three when uncle Toni urged him to switch to left-handed after seeing the power he generated while hitting the ball. Nadal derived immense strength from his powerful forehand, which he used to generate a sensational degree of topspin.

On average, the spin he produced was close to 5,000 rpm, more than the 2,500 rpm generated by an average tennis player. This gave Nadal an edge over his competitors, especially on clay courts.

The 2008 Wimbledon final against Federer is a classic example of his prowess. That match, often regarded as a “timeless classic,” marked the apex of their storied rivalry.

In a match interrupted by rain, Nadal won the first two sets. Tied at 7-7 in the third, he hit a stunning forehand to set up a championship point. Federer’s riposte was an equally breathtaking backhand, prompting commentators to call it the “finest hour” in men’s tennis.

On the court, Nadal and Federer were tough competitors. Off it, they were great friends, who cherished each other’s friendship.

In his utterly compelling memoir: “Rafa: My Story”, written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, Nadal admits how Federer was miles ahead of him as a player.

Nadal lacked Federer’s poise and finesse. The Swiss had a regal presence on the court. Nadal, on the other hand, resembled a cat on the hot tin roof, accentuated with his trademark grunts.

“Nadal’s humility is his watchword. A true ambassador of the game,” Ali elaborated.

What sets Nadal apart from his contemporaries is his inimitable style. “In the future, you will see a lot of young and upcoming players trying to emulate several tennis greats from the past. But in my mind, I don’t think anyone can emulate his style of play. In that sense, he is truly one of a kind,” Ali explained.

As the curtains draw on a memorable international career, many are left wondering: “Will anyone beat Nadal’s French Open record?”

Ali gave his two cents. “When Pete Sampras won 14 Grand Slams, there were many who thought that his record would not be broken. But you never know, someone might come along and break Nadal’s French Open record as well.”

The change of guard in men’s tennis is upon us following Nadal’s retirement. The torchbearers include an eclectic mix of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Nadal has not yet elaborated on his post-retirement plans — perhaps changing diapers or watching Rafael Nadal Jr blossom into another Grand Slam champion.