Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement.
The Spanish superstar will make one final appearance at next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
It will bring an end to one of the greatest careers in tennis history that yielded a staggering 22 grand slam titles, second behind only Novak Djokovic in the men’s game.
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The 38-year-old fought back tears in an emotional video, saying his recent injuries became too much to overcome.
“I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis,” he said.
“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.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.”
Nadal has struggled with injuries for the past two years, managing just two grand slam appearances.
He lost in the first round of the French Open this year, the earliest he has ever exited the tournament he has won a record 14 times.
Nadal withdrew from the US Open, meaning he missed three of the four grand slams in 2024.
He last played in reaching the men’s doubles quarter-finals at the Olympics, where he also lost in the second round of singles to Djokovic.
But he will have one final chance to farewell fans at the Davis Cup.
“I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I ever could have imagined,” he said.
“But, I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.
“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.”
Nadal thanked his team for being by his side throughout his career and also reserved special praise for his family.
“My family is everything to me. My mother, I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we would always have everything,” he continued.
“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.
“To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive.
“My sister, I think we have always had an incredible relationship.
“My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. I believe that thanks to him I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career.
“And to my father, who I believe has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word.”
He finished the emotional video with a special mention to his millions of fans.
Nadal will leave the sport with a record 14 French Open titles, four US Opens, two Australian Opens and two Wimbledon crowns.
He also has won two Olympic gold medals among a stack of achievements.