Rafael Nadal’s full retirement statement: ‘I’m leaving with absolute peace of mind’

Rafael Nadal announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024 tennis season, ending an astonishing 20-year career.

The Spaniard has won 22 Grand Slams, including 14 Franch Opens, but has been marred by injuries over the past two years.

The 38-year-old will retire next month after the end of the season. Davis Cup Final in Malaga, representing his country one last time:

Nadal posted an emotional video on social media on Thursday, speaking to the camera and paying tribute to his family and the world of tennis.

In full, Nadal said: “Hello everyone, I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is it’s been a tough few years, especially the last two. I don’t think I could have played without limits. This is obviously a difficult decision, which took me a long time to make.

“But in this life everything has a beginning and an end, and I think this is the appropriate time to end a career that has been long and far more successful than I could have imagined.

“But I am very happy that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final and that I will represent my country. I think I have come full circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.

“I feel super, super lucky for everything I’ve been able to experience. I would like to thank the entire tennis industry, everyone involved in this sport: my long-time colleagues, including my great rivals. I spent many, many hours with them and experienced many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.

“Talking about my team is a little more difficult for me, because ultimately my team has been a very important part of my life. They’re not just my colleagues, they’re my friends. They have been by my side every time I really needed them. Very bad times, very good times, times where they had to push me, times where they cut me some more slack. We’ve been through so much together that it’s hard to explain.

“My family is everything to me. My mother: I think she made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we always had everything.

“My wife Mery: we have been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you have been the ideal travel companion during all these years of your career.

“Coming home and seeing how my son is growing every day has been a strength that has really kept me alive and with the energy to continue.

“Sister, I think we’ve always had an amazing relationship. My uncle (Toni), who is the reason I started playing tennis. I believe that thanks to him, I was also able to overcome many situations that were difficult in my sporting career.

“And to my father, who I believe was an inspiration to me in every sense of the word. I think he was an example of effort, of surpassing himself. A big thank you to my father in a very, very special way.

“And finally, you, the fans. I can’t thank you enough for how you made me feel. You gave me the energy I needed every moment. Truly, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true.

“I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given the best of myself, of having made an effort in every way. I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to everyone and see you soon.