Nadal has officially announced his retirement plan following the 2024 season, marking the end of an illustrious career. The decision comes after an array of injuries that have impacted his performance significantly. Announcing his absence from the 2023 French Open, Nadal indicated that the toll on his body was becoming increasingly unmanageable.
Though he returned to the court earlier this year, his commitment to continue playing wavered as he grappled with setbacks. The former world number one expressed his desire to prolong his career for as long as possible, contingent on his physical condition.
Recently, a tough defeat to longtime rival Djokovic at the Paris Olympics prompted Nadal to declare that the time has come to retire. “It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make,” he commented, reflecting on his journey.
He emphasized the inevitability of life’s cycles, stating, “But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.” After making his return in Brisbane this January, Nadal was again sidelined due to a thigh injury, compelling him to miss the Australian Open.
Nadal’s participation in four tournaments during the European clay-court season ended with a first-round exit at the French Open. He has only competed in two additional tournaments since then, including events in Bastad and the Olympics.
Recently named in Spain’s squad for the upcoming Davis Cup Finals scheduled for November 19-24, Nadal expressed, “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 ever have imagined.” He revealed that the Davis Cup final will be his last competition, showcasing his pride in representing Spain.
His final competitive appearance will be alongside Carlos Alcaraz, who is widely perceived as Nadal’s successor in Spanish men’s tennis. Alcaraz described the opportunity to play with his idol as an “immense gift,” acknowledging the emotional weight of Nadal’s impending retirement. “Losing him, in a certain way, is going to be difficult for us,” he reflected, vowing to cherish every moment of Nadal’s final appearances.
