Rafael Nadal has announced he will retire from professional tennis next month.
The 38-year-old Spaniard, who won 22 Grand Slam titles including 14 at the French Open, made the announcement in a video message on social media.
"Hello everyone. I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis," Nadal said in the video on Thursday.
"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don't think I have been able to play without limitations."
Nadal revealed he will retire from professional tennis after the Davis Cup final in November.
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Rafael Nadal has announced he will retire from professional tennis in November. EPA -
Rafael Nadal is set to retire from professional tennis, having amassed 92 titles, including 22 grand slams and a record 14 French Open trophies. EPA -
Rafeal Nadal has announced his plan to retire from tennis after struggling with injuries in recent years. EPA -
Rafael Nadal celebrates with the men's singles Olympics gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008. EPA -
Rafael Nadal said he is happy to represent Spain in his final professional tournament - the Davis Cup in November. EPA -
Rafael Nadal retires as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. AFP -
Rafael Nadal is the undisputed king of clay court, winning the French Open 14 times. EPA -
Rafael Nadal lost just three times in 115 matches at Roland Garros. AFP -
Rafael Nadal will retire from professional tennis after the Davis Cup finals in November. AFP -
Since winning his first ever title in 2004, Nadal won 92 titles, including 22 Grand Slams and a record 14 French Open titles. EPA -
Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. AFP -
Nadal has also won the Wimbledon title twice. Reuters -
Rafael Nadal retires as one of the greatest tennis players. EPA
"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end.
"I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup representing my country. It's closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004."
World No1 Jannik Sinner said the announcement was "tough news for the tennis world".
"He's an unbelievable person. He taught us young players how to behave on the court, how to handle situations on the court... Also to stay humble at the same time, not changing with his success," Sinner, 23, said at the Shanghai Masters. "It's tough news for the tennis world and not only [the tennis world]."
Swiss legend Roger Federer also paid tribute his great rival turned friend. "What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come," Federer said in a post on social media.
"Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It's been an absolute honour."
Nadal will retire as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The Spaniard ends his two decades as a professional with 92 titles. He dominated the French Open where he won 14 of his majors, his first arriving just days after his 19th birthday in 2005, his last in 2022 that made him the event's oldest champion.
In fact, he lost just three times in 115 matches at Roland Garros. Nadal was also a four-time champion at the US Open and a two-time winner at the Australian Open, his first triumph coming in 2009; his second 13 years later.
Nadal also won Wimbledon twice, in 2008 and 2010 despite grass being considered to be his most challenging surface.
His five-set victory over Roger Federer in the 2008 championship match, which ended in almost complete darkness at the All England Club, is widely regarded as the greatest Slam final ever played.
Nadal claimed a career Golden Slam when he took Olympic Games gold in 2008. He also won five Davis Cups. Nadal was a five-time year-end world No1 and never left the top 10 from 2005 until March this year.
Despite his record-breaking career, Nadal was plagued by injuries owing to his all-action, high-intensity style.
Ankle, wrist, knee, elbow and abdominal problems caused him to sit out 18 Grand Slam tournaments and withdraw mid-event on five occasions at the majors.
At the 2022 French Open, he admitted that his title charge would not have been possible without daily pain-killing injections in his foot.
His body began to feel the strain even more as the years went on. An abdominal strain forced him out of Wimbledon where he made the semi-finals.
He then suffered a hip injury at the Australian Open the following January as he crashed out in the second round. It was his earliest exit at the majors in seven years.
Nadal was beginning to sense the writing was on the wall at the 2022 Laver Cup in London when he played alongside Federer in the Swiss great's final tournament.
The two men wept and even grasped each other's hands as the Federer era ended. "When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too," said Nadal.
And now, Nadal is also departing the tennis scene. Andy Murray also recently retired from tennis after long-standing fitness issues. That means Novak Djokovic is the only remaining member of the 'fab four' of men's tennis still active.
The Davis Cup knockout phase will be played from November 19-24.
