July 6, 2008—a date forever engraved in tennis history—as the great Rafael Nadal won his first Wimbledon title, solidifying his immortality in the sport. It was an unforgettable match, arguably one of the finest in men’s tennis, against the maestro Roger Federer, who had won Wimbledon five times until that point. Nadal triumphed over his rival 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. When Federer’s final forehand landed in the net, Nadal joyfully fell on his back, having entered the ranks of Wimbledon champions at just 22 years old. Since then, he has continued to execute his tennis masterclass on courts around the world, breaking tennis records. Now, after pursuing his art of tennis globally for 23 years, he is retiring.
The 38-year-old tennis player announced his impending retirement last week with a video statement posted on his social media, starting by saying "I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis."
Although the Spaniard has enjoyed an exceptionally successful career, he hasn’t been in top form in recent years due to numerous injuries. “The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that takes me some time to make,” he said.
His farewell to the tennis courts will take place on home soil at the Davis Cup in Malaga on November 19, where he will represent Spain for the last time against the Netherlands. In a video, Nadal expressed his excitement about the Davis Cup being his final tournament, stating, “I think I’ve come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004.”
Turning pro in 2001 at the age of 15, winning his first French Open in 2005 at 19, and securing the next three Roland-Garros titles along with an epic Wimbledon Championship breakthrough in 2008, Nadal has transcended the sport of tennis since his early professional years.
Whether on clay, grass, or hard courts, Nadal has consistently demonstrated resilience and brilliance in embodying the spirit of tennis. He has claimed 22 Grand Slam titles, with 14 of them won at Roland Garros in the French Open during the years 2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2020, and 2022. His dominance on the clay courts of Roland Garros earned him the titles “El Rey de Roland Garros” (The King of Roland Garros) and “The King of Clay.” To commemorate his unparalleled achievements, a statue of Nadal stands outside Court Philippe-Chatrier, immortalizing his legacy on clay. Nadal also holds the records for the most consecutive match wins on clay and the most titles won at a single Grand Slam event.
Moreover, he won the Wimbledon title twice in his career, in 2008 and 2010. Nadal further came victorious four times at the US Open in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019. He also triumphed at the Australian Open title twice in 2009 and 2022.
According to his stats, Rafael Nadal has truly achieved it all. He won two Olympic gold medals—one in men’s singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and another in men’s doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This makes him one of the few elite athletes to complete the career Golden Slam, which refers to winning all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. In addition to this, he has lifted 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles and claimed four Davis Cup titles.
"I feel super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience," Nadal reflected on his career. "I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals. I've spent many, many hours with them, and I've lived many moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me, because in the end, my team has been a very important part of my life. They're not just co-workers. They are friends,” he said.
Nadal was a role model to many not only with his ability to strike a tennis ball but also his humble sportsmanship. In an interview with the TIME, American tennis legend Chris Evert remarked on Nadal as, “In the sports world, there seems to be controversy and there seems to be anger, and it's not always so nice. He [Nadal] was like a bright light. He always brought order to the chaos. There will be a gaping hole.”
Throughout his career, Nadal proved an outstanding talent of overcoming obstacles on the court with strength and determination. Although he was as ambitious as his opponents, Nadal has rarely shown outrageous demeanor, which is common among the athletes in moments of victory or loss. He rather masked his fierce side with calmness. “Have you ever seen him break a racquet?” asked Evert. “Have you ever seen him scream and shout at his coaching box? If he lost, he would give compliments. He wouldn't make excuses,” he further added.
To true tennis fans, his announcement was not shocking. The struggle with consecutive injuries were taking their toll on him, particularly in recent years. The legend suffers from Müller-Weiss Syndrome in his foot and has been battling abdominal injuries. This year, Nadal missed the Australian Open and focused mainly on competing in the French Open and the Paris Olympics. He lost in the first round of the French tournament to Alexander Zverev, where he had previously claimed 14 remarkable titles, earning him the title of the court’s king. At the Olympics, he only managed to advance to the quarterfinals in men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. As a result, there have been signs pointing towards his retirement for some time now.
The “King of Clay” could have stayed for one final year and played a farewell tour, but Nadal didn’t feel the need for it. Instead, he chose to step forward in his life and retire at the right time. “In this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he said.
The Spaniard received sentiments from many athletes, friends, and current and former counterparts. Federer paid his respect to Nadal in a post on Instagram: "What a career, Rafa. I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love,” he wrote. “It's been an absolute honor!"
"You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis, and I think that is probably the greatest achievement anyone can wish for," said Novak Djokovic, who Nadal finished behind as the second-most successful men’s singles player of all time. Djokovic confirmed that he will be present in Malaga to pay his tribute to his long-respected rival at the courts.
Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal’s young compatriot, expressed his gratitude and farewell towards his childhood hero as, "Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable. I've enjoyed you so much and will miss you so much when you quit after Davis Cup, Rafa!"
In his farewell, Rafa did not forget to thank his fans. "And finally, you the fans - I can't thank you enough for what you've made me feel. You give me the energy I've needed every moment, really,” he stated. "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 you all. See you soon," he concluded.
Rafael Nadal has etched his name in tennis history with an illustrious 23-year career marked by tremendous achievements. His dedication to the sport, sportsmanship, and extraordinary resilience have already inspired and will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. Although his retirement leaves fans with a sense of loss, his legacy as one of the greatest of all time will endure well beyond his playing years. Thank you, Rafa!
Edited by: Derya Selin Yener, Oya Yamaç