The King of Clay is abdicating his throne.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal—who, throughout his career, cemented himself as one of the greatest players to ever pick up a racket—shared he is retiring from tennis after over twenty years on the professional circuit.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Rafael noted in his Oct. 10 announcement video, alluding to the recurring injuries that have plagued him in recent history. “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,” he continued, as the video alternated between him speaking to the camera and clips from every era of his career, “everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long, and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
And successful it was. After all, there are few tennis players who have shown such mastery of will, diligently fighting for every single point, no matter the score.
Throughout his career, the Spanish player earned a whopping 22 Grand Slam titles, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24 for men’s tennis. He was the youngest player in the Open Era to earn a career Grand Slam (winning each of the four major titles), at the age of 24, and he holds the all-time record of titles for a single tournament with 14 French Open titles: an accomplishment that earned him his “King of Clay” nickname, the surface on which he was virtually unbeatable.
Plus, he has two Olympic gold medals to boot.
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty ImagesIn his announcement, Rafael shared his final professional tournament will be in the Davis Cup’s Final 8 round in November, where he will represent his country.
It is a “full circle” moment for the player, as he noted a major turning point in his early career was the Davis Cup final in 2004, held in Sevilla, in which he bested world No. 2 Andy Roddick at the age of 18 to take home the title for Spain.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” the 38-year-old continued. “I want to thank the entire tennis industry, All the people involved in this sport: my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals.”
And as clips of Rafael shaking hands with Novak and Roger Federer, who also became one of his closest friends, played, he added, “I have spent many, many hours with them, and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Erick W. Rasco /Sports Illustrated/Getty ImagesRafael then went on to thank his personal team, noting doing so was “a little but more difficult,” as his eyes filled with tears. After all, people like his uncle Toni Nadal and coach Carlos Moya have been by his side for many years. As Rafael noted, “They are not just coworkers, they are friends.”
And in addition to emotional messages of gratitude to his parents Ana María Parera Femenías and Sebastián Nadal Homar, thanking them for the sacrifices they made in order for him to become the best he could be, Rafael also took a moment to thank his wife Mery, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son.
And for Rafael, he leaves the game he’s given so much of his life to—and which has given him so much in return—with no regrets.
“I leave with the absolute peace of mind having given my best,” he concluded his announcement. “Of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all, and see you soon.”
