Rafael Nadal announces tennis retirement and ends incredible career

The end of an era...

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Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from tennis following an incredible career which saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles. A whopping 14 of those came at the French Open , with the 38-year-old Spanish legend earning the nickname ‘King of Clay’ due to his dominance on the red dirt. In a video message released on Thursday, Nadal said: ‘I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.

‘The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. ‘I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.’ Rafael Nadal | Career in numbers 22 – grand slam titles.



14 – French Open titles, the most by any player at any slam. 112 – victories at Roland Garros. 4 – defeats at Roland Garros.

4 – US Open titles. 2 – Wimbledon titles. 2 – Australian Open titles.

13 – years between Nadal’s two Melbourne titles, in 2009 and 2022. 30 – grand slam final appearances. 92 – tour-level singles titles.

2 – Olympic gold medals, one in singles and one in doubles. 36 – ATP Masters 1000 titles. 4 – Davis Cup titles with Spain.

12 – titles at the Barcelona Open, with 11 at the Monte-Carlo Masters. 81 – consecutive matches won on clay from April 2005 to May 2007. 209 – weeks spent at world number one.

5 – years ended as world number one. 912 – consecutive weeks spent in the top 10 between April 2005 and March 2023, more than any other man. 24 – victories over Roger Federer from 40 matches.

29 – victories over Novak Djokovic from 60 matches. 1,080 – tour-level matches won. More to follow.

.. MORE : Rafael Nadal urged to delay retirement amid Davis Cup ‘last dance’ rumours MORE : Roger Federer will ‘consider’ retirement U-turn to face Rafael Nadal, says agent.