Rafa Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis

A file picture Rafael Nadal at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Paris Olympics. – AP

PETALING JAYA: Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis.

"Many thanks to all," he said in a multi-lingual post on X on Thursday (Oct 10).

The Spaniard will make his final appearance for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November.

His retirement announcement was expected as Nadal has endured a frustrating few months due to injury and has not played a competitive match since representing Spain at the Olympics in Paris, where he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the singles event and struggled alongside Carlos Alcaraz when playing doubles.

The 38-year-old has won 22 Grand Slams over the decades.

Mil gracias a todos Many thanks to all Merci beaucoup à tous Grazie mille à tutti 谢谢大家 شكرا لكم جميعا תודה לכולכם Obrigado a todos Vielen Dank euch allen Tack alla Хвала свима Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi — Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024