Rafael Nadal To Retire From Tennis After Davis Cup

by Staff | October 10th, 2024, 10:34 am
  • 9 Comments

Rafael Nadal made it official today announcing that he will retire at the end of this season, following Davis Cup next month.

Nadal last won a Slam at the 2022 French, his 14th title there and 22nd at that level. His last Slam will also be the French losing to Alexander Zverev this year.

“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. 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 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.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel, you have given me the energy I have needed at every moment. Really everything I have experienced 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.”

Considered among the GOATs of the game, Nadal will finish with 22 Slams, 92 ATP titles, Olympic singles and doubles gold, 209 weeks at No. 1, 5-year-end No. 1s and 5 Davis Cup titles.

The 38-year-old Nadal has been besieged by injuries throughout his career but still managed to play at a high level well into his late 30s.

The Davis Cup for Spain in Malaga begins on November 19 against the Netherlands. The King of Clay will end his career is his home country.


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9 Comments for Rafael Nadal To Retire From Tennis After Davis Cup

chrisford1 Says:

Tributes coming in from everywhere. Showing the men and women of pro tennis knowing and celebrating the specialness of Nadal.
From his nemesis Novak Djokovic:

“Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for. Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become icon of tennis and sport in general.”

More often than not, he was exceptionally thrilling and entertaining to see in the late stages of a tournament, playing a really good player. He had some awesome matches outside Federer and Djokovic with players like David Ferrer, JM DePotro, and Fernando Verdasco. I don’t think anyone had the power, accuracy, and speed he had in hitting a forehand on full run.
And, there was no quit in Rafa.

A beautiful, impressive career. He will be remembered as not just a tennis legend but a great Spanish sportsman.

October 10th, 2024 at 8:58 pm


chrisford1 Says:

What I posted above was from a site that clipped part of Novak’s tribute. Djoker can be very heartfelt and eloquent at times:

““Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.

“Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you best possible farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career.”

October 11th, 2024 at 1:24 am


Alison hodge Says:

Tennis has died a little with the loss of Federer and now Nadal

October 11th, 2024 at 5:38 am


skeezer Says:

“..He will be remembered as not just a tennis legend but a great Spanish sportsman….”

Above all that he will be immortalized as the “King of Clay” and one of the GOAT’s.

His Clay record? Probably will never in our lifetime, be touched.

What amazed me about Rafa was he started out as a Clay court specialist for the most part, and adapted his Clay court skills to be great on most other surfaces. I mean really good. The best of all time match he had, against an in prime Fed, on Grass, was to me his best moment. He was not a one surface guy. Congrats Rafa on a great career.

October 12th, 2024 at 3:48 pm


Alison hodge Says:

Lovely post Skeezer, nice to see a fan of one player can appreciate the greatness in another

24 can be beaten, but 14 GS on 1 surface I doubt we’ll ever see anyone surpass, 8 GS on other surfaces not too shabby either, enjoy your retirement Mr Rafael Nadal 🎊

October 13th, 2024 at 3:58 am


Giles Says:

Hey skeezer. Thank you for your post. I couldn’t have put it better myself.

October 13th, 2024 at 5:28 am


chrisford1 Says:

Hey, no doubt Nadal has a mighty impressive clay court record, but any Rafa fanboy touting Clay Court surface greatness as somehow more important than overall accomplishments as it is ‘tougher to beat”, is just moving the scoring posts.
Federer’s 23 straight Slam Semis will likely never be beaten. Isner’s Aces record may be hard to beat, Margaret Court’s woman’s Slam records.
King of Clay is a name Rafa can wear with pride. But more to the sport than clay success to determine who was the better player.

October 13th, 2024 at 3:44 pm


Alison hodge Says:

I’m not saying it’s more important just that it will be more difficult to surpass PEACE

October 14th, 2024 at 4:17 am


Alison hodge Says:

Skeezer said it perfectly, he’s a Federer fan, with no fan boy worshipping, just a lovely post from a fan of one player that appreciates the achiements of another

October 14th, 2024 at 4:22 am


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