By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal will name time on his illustrious however injury-plagued profession after subsequent month’s Davis Cup Finals, the 22-times Grand Slam champion introduced on Thursday, as one of many biggest gamers within the sport prepares for an emotional farewell.
Nadal, who gained a file 14 French Open titles, had mentioned beforehand he anticipated to retire this 12 months after a hip damage that required surgical procedure restricted his appearances in 2023.
The 38-year-old was a shock choice for the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Remaining 8 in Malaga, after final competing on the Paris Olympics in July and subsequently lacking the U.S. Open and Laver Cup over health considerations.
“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal mentioned in a video posted on social media.
“The reality is it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.
“It’s clearly a troublesome resolution, one which has taken me a while to make, however on this life, all the pieces has a starting and an finish, and I feel it is the suitable time to place an finish to a profession that has been lengthy and rather more profitable than I might have ever imagined,” added the former world number one.
Nadal, who has won two Australian Opens, two Wimbledon crowns and four U.S. Opens plus Olympic gold and four Davis Cups on top of his multiple French Open titles, said finishing his career in Spanish colours at the team event felt right.
‘LAST TOURNAMENT’
He will link up again with four-times major champion Carlos Alcaraz after the duo played together at the Paris Games.
“I’m very excited that my final event would be the ultimate of the Davis Cup and representing my nation,” said Nadal.
“I feel I’ve come full circle since one among my first nice joys as an expert tennis participant was the Davis Cup ultimate in Sevilla in 2004.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience.”
Nadal has been no stranger to accidents in his 23-year profession and he sustained a niggling hip downside on the Australian Open in early 2023 earlier than lacking the French Open later that 12 months and having an operation to attempt to resurrect his profession.
Nevertheless, minor points and health woes restricted him to solely 23 matches within the final two seasons.
Nadal returned to his favorite looking floor of Roland Garros this season however was overwhelmed within the opening spherical by German Alexander Zverev and politely refused a celebratory farewell within the hope of a ultimate hurrah subsequent 12 months.
KING OF CLAY
Dubbed the ‘King of Clay’ for his jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss file on the French Open, Nadal’s final triumph on the event in Paris got here in 2022.
Nadal will grasp up his racket two years after nice rival and Swiss maestro Roger Federer, leaving file 24-times main winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia as the one member of the ‘Huge Three’ of males’s tennis nonetheless energetic.
Federer led the tributes to Nadal on social media, saying that he had hoped the day his good friend introduced his retirement would by no means come.
“What a career, Rafa … Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour!” the Swiss nice mentioned.
Nadal thanked his household and his group for his stellar profession, with a particular phrase for his uncle Toni, who was his coach for many of his time on courtroom.
“I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career,” he mentioned.
To his followers, Nadal mentioned: “I can not thanks sufficient for what you’ve gotten made me really feel. Every thing I’ve skilled has been a dream come true.
“I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.”
Nadal is now anticipated to obtain what guarantees to be an emotional tribute on the Frech Open subsequent 12 months, with an analogous celebration possible on the Davis Cup on residence soil.
