In October 2024, Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis, concluding a remarkable 23-year career. In an emotional video shared on social media, he expressed gratitude to his family, team, and fans, reflecting on his journey and the challenges he faced.
Nadal began his message by acknowledging the difficulties of recent years, particularly the physical limitations that hindered his performance. He stated, “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Nadal expressed excitement about his final tournament, the Davis Cup finals in Malaga, stating, “But I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.”
He also conveyed deep appreciation for his family and team, saying, “My family is everything to me… My wife Mery: we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of career.”
Nadal concluded his message with heartfelt thanks to his fans, stating, “And finally, you, the fans. 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.”
This announcement marked the end of an era in tennis, as Nadal’s legacy includes 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open victories.
For those interested in viewing Nadal’s full retirement speech, it is available on YouTube:
