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Ernest Victor
Guest
Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has announced that he will be retiring from the professional tennis circuit at the end of this season.
The 38-year-old tennis legend will make his final appearance representing Spain at the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Nadal’s playing time has been limited over the past two seasons due to recurring injuries, and he had hinted at the possibility of retirement by the end of 2024.
In a heartfelt video message released on Thursday, Nadal said, “I am here to inform you all that I am retiring from professional tennis. The truth is, it has been a challenging few years, especially the last two. I don’t believe I have been able to play without restrictions.”
Nadal leaves the sport as the second-most successful men’s singles player of all time, surpassed only by his long-time rival, Novak Djokovic.
Known for his dominance on clay courts, Nadal has clinched the French Open singles title a record 14 times, boasting an outstanding 112 victories out of 116 major matches at Roland Garros.
No other player has achieved as many Grand Slam singles titles in a single tournament.
Additionally, Nadal has secured the US Open title four times and emerged victorious at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice.
His achievements also include Olympic singles and doubles gold medals and instrumental contributions to Spain’s four Davis Cup victories, with the most recent one in 2019.
Together with his enduring rivals Djokovic and 20-time major champion Roger Federer, Nadal formed the ‘Big Three,’ a trio that dominated the men’s tennis scene from the early 2000s and garnered a massive following of fans.
Roger Federer, expressing his sentiments, stated, “What a remarkable career, Rafa! I had always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible accomplishments in the sport we love. It has been an absolute honour.”
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