MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal is preparing to retire from professional tennis after one final tournament: the Davis Cup finals in his home country of Spain, which begin Tuesday in Malaga.
At 38 years old, Nadal is the second member of the iconic “Big Three” in men’s tennis to retire, following Roger Federer’s announcement in 2022. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic continues to compete at a high level.
“It’s obviously a difficult decision, one that took me time to make, but everything in life has its beginning and end,” Nadal said during a practice session in Malaga on Friday. “I feel it’s the right time to end a career that’s been long and far more successful than I ever imagined.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Nadal’s farewell:
How to watch Rafael Nadal and the Davis Cup
- In the U.S.: Tennis Channel
When will Nadal play his final match?
The exact timing of Nadal’s final match is uncertain, as the Davis Cup is a team event with the “Final 8” stage beginning at the quarterfinals. Spain’s opening match is on Tuesday against the Netherlands. If Spain wins, they’ll advance to the semifinals on Friday, where they’ll face either Canada or Germany. The other quarterfinals are set for Thursday: the United States vs. Australia and defending champions Italy vs. Argentina. The final will be held Sunday. Matches are played in a best-of-three format, with two singles and one doubles per team. It remains to be seen whether Nadal will be selected by captain David Ferrer to play in singles, doubles, or possibly neither.
Who are Nadal’s teammates?
Nadal will be joined by a strong Spanish squad, including four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers.
Why is Nadal retiring now?
Nadal’s decision to retire is largely driven by ongoing injuries, including issues with his foot, abdominal muscles, and a hip injury that required surgery last year. “The reality is that the last two years have been difficult. I haven’t been able to play without limitations,” he explained.
When did Nadal last compete?
Nadal has played sparingly in recent seasons due to injury. His most recent official match was in early August at the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of singles. He also reached the doubles quarterfinals with Alcaraz. Last month, Nadal played two exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia.
How many Grand Slam titles did Nadal win?
Nadal finishes his career with 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the second-most in men’s tennis history behind Djokovic’s 24, and ahead of Federer’s 20. His titles include a record 14 French Open wins, four U.S. Open titles, two at Wimbledon, and two at the Australian Open. His last Grand Slam victory came at the 2022 French Open, where he played through significant foot pain.
Has Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup?
Nadal has been integral to Spain’s success in the Davis Cup, contributing to five team titles (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019). His first major triumph came in 2004 when he helped Spain secure their first Davis Cup title, defeating then-No. 2 Andy Roddick. Reflecting on his final Davis Cup appearance, Nadal said, “I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, representing my country. It feels like a full-circle moment because one of my first big joys as a professional was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.”
