Rafael Nadal announced this Thursday his definitive retirement from the tennis courts through a video on social media. "I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final representing my country," proclaimed the 38-year-old winner of 22 Grand Slam titles after a season in which he could only play 19 matches. Between November 19 and 24, at the Martín Carpena Pavilion in Malaga, the best Spanish tennis player of all time will bid farewell to his career.
"These last two years have been difficult, I have not been able to play without limitations. It is a decision that is obviously difficult, it has taken me time to make it, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end, and I believe that it is the right time to put an end to a career that has been much longer and more successful than I could have ever imagined," he commented in his message to the public in a decision as expected as it is complicated.
"I feel very fortunate for all the things I have been able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry. My colleagues for so many years, especially my rivals. Talking about my team is a bit more difficult for me because they are not just coworkers, they are friends and have been by my side in all the moments when I have needed them," he added.