A Tearful Goodbye of Rafael Nadal; Announced His Retirement From Tennis

On Thursday, Rafael Nadal announced he would retire following the Davis Cup finals in November. This announcement marked the conclusion of a career that yielded 22 Grand Slam victories, international acclaim, and the creation of legendary rivalries between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal's Statement:

"I'm quitting the professional tennis circuit. The truth is that these past two years in particular have been rather challenging."

"It has taken me some time to decide, and it is a tough decision. However, everything has a start and a finish in this life."

"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,".

With 92 championships and $135 million in prize money to his name, the 38-year-old Spaniard is expected to conclude his 20 years as a professional, solidifying his place in the annals of tennis history.

"I believe I've completed a full circle," said Nadal, who took home the Davis Cup for the first time in 2004 as a youngster.

"I feel super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience," remarked Nadal. "I want to express my gratitude to everyone in the tennis community, including my longstanding colleagues and fiercest adversaries. With them, I've spent many hours and had many memorable experiences that I will never forget. It's a little harder for me to talk about my squad since, in the end, they've played a huge role in my life. They go beyond being colleagues. They're close buddies.

How many championships has Rafael Nadal won in tennis?

• Total Grand Slams: 22
• ATP titles: 92
• Australian Open: 2 (2009, 2022)
• French Open: 14 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
• Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 2010)
• US Open: 4 (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
• Olympic golds: 1 singles (2008), 1 doubles (2016)
• Davis Cup: 5 (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019)

What tennis match does Rafael Nadal remember the most?

The men's singles final from the 2008 Wimbledon. One of the best matches in men's tennis history is thought to have occurred when he defeated Federer, a specialist on grass courts, on Center Court at the All England Club. Nadal won in four hours and forty-eight minutes, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7.

ATP title comparison with Big 3:

Federer - 103 titles

Djokovic - 99 titles

Nadal - 92 titles

He has spent 209 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings, over 18 years of uninterrupted weeks in the Top 10, 92 singles titles, a 1,080-227 win-loss record, and just about $135 million in prize money, but his overall record is unquestionable.

Nadal remarked, "To be honest, everything I have gone through has been a dream come true." "I depart knowing that I gave it my all and that I tried my hardest in every manner."