IT WAS hardly a surprise, but that did not make the news that Spanish champion Rafael Nadal will retire at year’s end any easier. The 38-year-old was recently named in Spain’s Davis Cup Finals side and yesterday the 22-time Grand Slam winner confirmed the Malaga event would be the last of his professional career.
In a fitting end to a man who has given everything not just to tennis fans, but to his country through his tennis, the former world number one will end his playing days in country colours on home soil between November 19-24.
Nadal won 92 ATP Tour titles and boasts the second most Grand Slams of any male player, which of course includes a record 14 Roland Garos trophies. That effort earned his nickname the ‘King of Clay’ and it is indisputable that he has been the world’s best ever claycourter.
In a video posted to social medal, Nadal announced his retirement in Spanish, letting his fans and followers know before the media.
“Hello everyone, I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis,” he said. “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.”
Nadal has only played the 19 matches on the ATP Tour this season, and will hope to contribute to Spain going deep in the Davis Cup Finals. The host nation side – which also includes Nadal’s heir apparent in world number two Carlos Alcaraz – will face Netherlands in the quarter finals on November 19.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” Nadal said. “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.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience.”
Sinner steps up to steer Italy into Davis Cup semis
ITALY is two wins away from going back-to-back at the Davis Cup after coming from behind against a plucky Argentinian outfit. Following a surprise win by Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Musetti, world number one Jannik Sinner had to step up, and step up he did. Sinner won his singles in convincing fashion before teaming up […]
Aussies upstage US after doubles shock move
AUSTRALIA is through to the 2024 Davis Cup semi-finals for a chance at redemption against Italy after taking down a star-studded United States lineup. The green and gold had the Malaga stadium pumping when Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned Top 25 talent Ben Shelton, and then the experienced doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson used […]
Germany charges into 2024 Davis Cup semis
GERMANY is on a mission to break a 31-year drought at the Davis Cup, and ticked off the first challenge with a victory over 2022 winners Canada overnight. The Germans last won a Davis Cup way back in 1993 during a golden era for the nation, winning three titles in a six-year span between 1988-1993. […]
Italy goes one better to win 2024 BJK Cup
AFTER suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Canada 12 months ago, Italy has transformed from bridesmaid to the bride with a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup overnight. Winning both the singles matches meaning there was no requirement to play the doubles, Italy showed it was the team […]
Slovakia makes history by reaching BJK Cup final
A TRUE underdog tale is emerging in Malaga with world number 10s Slovakia – expected to essentially make up the numbers coming into the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Finals – reaching the decider for just the second time in the nation’s history. The small European country – least population of any nation at the […]
Dutch dash dream Rafa retirement party
THERE was no room for sentiment from the Dutch at the Davis Cup Finals, with Netherlands sending off 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal by eliminating his Spanish side in the quarter finals. Going down to the deciding doubles tie, the experienced doubles talent of Wesley Koolhof worked well with Botic Van de Zandschulp against […]
Italy holds nerve to reach BJK Cup final
IT WAS far from easy for the Italian Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup side, with the reigning runners-up having to overcome a fierce challenge from Poland to books its place in the 2024 final. Having achieved the feat 12 months ago but fallen a win short of ultimate glory, the second ranked side will now […]
2024 Davis Cup Finals preview
EIGHT nations will vie for glory in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals that kicks off overnight in Malaga. Headlined by reigning champions Italy with world number one Jannik Sinner named for his nation, the only element that tops it is the fact that 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to tennis at […]
Reigning champs out as Brits bounce into BJK Cup semis
A NEW Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup champion will be crowned this week after reigning titleholders Canada were knocked out of the event overnight. Great Britain proved too strong for the North Americans, cruising to a 2-0 result to rubber stamp its entry into the final four and the chance to reach the deciding match. […]
