RAFA NADAL ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL TENNIS

“Hello everyone. I’m here to tell you that I’m retiring from professional tennis.”

This is how Rafael Nadal began a video in which he announced his retirement from professional tennis . The 22-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that he is quitting at the age of 38, and that he will play his last tournament at the Davis Cup Finals , which will take place in Malaga from 19 November.

“The truth is that these have been difficult years, especially these last two,” Nadal explained. “I don’t think I’ve been able to play without limitations. It’s obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me time to make, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end,” he added. “I think it’s the right time to put an end to what has been a long and much more successful career than I could have ever imagined, but I’m really excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, representing my country. I think it’s closing the circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004.”

Pending the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Rafa will bid farewell with 22 Grand Slam titles, which join a total of 92 titles won over more than 20 years of professional career . In addition to two gold medals at the Olympic Games (both in singles and doubles), the Mallorcan has five Davis Cup trophies, which could be six if Spain wins the competition again this year. All the trophies from his legendary career are located in the Rafa Nadal Museum, located at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor.

“I feel very lucky for all the things I have been able to experience and I want to thank the entire tennis industry,” Nadal continued. “My teammates for so many years, especially my great rivals. I have spent many hours with them and I have lived many of the moments that I will remember for the rest of my life,” he continued. “Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me. In the end, my team has been a very important part of my life. They are not just workers, they are friends and they have been by my side in all the moments in which I have really needed them. Very bad moments, very good moments, moments that have had to push me, moments that have had to ease up. We have lived so much together that it is difficult to explain.”

In addition to remembering his team, the Spaniard had a special memory for his family in the video in which he announced his retirement.

“Family is everything to me,” Nadal admitted. “I think my mother has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we would always have everything,” he began. “My wife, Mery. We have been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done, I think you have been my perfect travel companion during all these years of my career. Coming home and seeing my son growing up every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the energy necessary to continue,” he said. “My sister. I think we have always maintained an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. I think that thanks to him I have been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sports career. And to my father, who I think has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense. He has been an example of effort and overcoming. Many thanks to my father in a very special way.”

“And finally, you, the fans,” he said. “I have no way of thanking you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment. Everything I have experienced has really been a dream come true. I am leaving with the absolute peace of mind of having given my all, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to everyone and see you soon.”

The Davis Cup Finals will be held in Malaga from 19 to 24 November. Spain will play the Netherlands on Tuesday 19 November.

Source: ATPTour.com