After 23 years on the professional circuit, the 22-time Major winner Rafael Nadal will finish his incredible career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November. The 38-year-old gave everything to recover from a severe hip injury, playing 19 matches this season but never finding his well-known A-game.
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Toni Nadal commented on his nephew's decision to end his career, explaining Rafa's plan. The legend wished to embrace one last push on his beloved clay this spring. It ended with one small ATP final and early defeats at Roland Garros and the Olympic Games.
The legend realized it would only get more challenging to stay competitive and endure matches, with retirement as the only option. Two decades after debuting in the national jersey, Rafa will end his career at the Davis Cup Finals in front of the home fans in Malaga, with Novak Djokovic and probably many others coming to support his final ride.
The Spaniard kicked off the 2022 season with two Major titles, increasing his tally to 22 and leaving Djokovic and Federer behind.
However, he suffered an abdominal injury at Wimbledon, withdrawing ahead of the semi-final and never finding that level again!
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Nadal struggled by the end of the season, finishing in the top-2 but entering the 2023 season without form or confidence. The defending Australian Open champion wished for a miracle in Melbourne, but it did not happen. Rafa injured his left hip in the second round against Mackenzie McDonald and missed the rest of the season, embracing the most extended break from tennis and undergoing surgery.
The veteran worked on his comeback in the second part of the year and arranged his comeback for the first week of 2024. Leaving the top-600 for the first time in over two decades, the 22-time Major winner defeated Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in Brisbane, reaching the quarter-final.
The veteran fought against Jordan Thompson for three and a half hours, blowing three match points and experiencing a massive setback after feeling the pain around his troubled hip.
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Toni Nadal shared more information about Rafael Nadal's retirement.
Not risking anything, Rafa skipped the Australian Open and returned home, hoping to recover for Doha and Indian Wells.
However, he suffered another blow in February, injuring his abdominal muscle and staying away from the court until Barcelona. The king of clay lost in the second round on the court that carries his name and played better at the Madrid Masters.
The four-time champion in Caja Magica ousted three rivals and booked a place in the fourth round before falling to Jiri Lehecka after a decent effort. Nadal could not revive his Foro Italico magic, experiencing a tough loss to Hubert Hurkacz and heading to Roland Garros with low expectations.
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The 14-time winner faced world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round, facing the earlier defeat on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Two rivals battled for three hours and five minutes, and the favorite scored a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory, becoming the third player to have beaten Nadal in Paris.
Rafa served for the second set, but it was not to be for him, falling in straight sets and throwing everything at the Olympic Games on the same court two months later.
The Spaniard skipped the grass season and entered the ATP 250 event in Bastad as his final preparation for Paris, returning to Sweden for the first time in 19 years. The veteran stopped the clock and defeated four rivals to reach his first ATP final since Roland Garros two years ago.
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Rafa battled past Mariano Navone after nearly four hours in the quarter-final, refusing to surrender and scoring one more win en route to the title clash. However, he stood no chance against Nuno Borges, experiencing a 6-3, 6-2 defeat and finishing runner-up.
Nadal came to Paris with pain in his right thigh, missing a couple of training sessions but feeling motivated to give his best at his fourth and final Olympic Games. The Spaniard passed the first obstacle, beating Marton Fucsovics and arranging his 60th and last meeting with Novak Djokovic.
The Serb was the favorite and confirmed that with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph, beating his greatest rival for the 31st time. Novak stood as the only player on the court in the opener, taking it 6-1 and gathering a boost.
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Djokovic delivered a double break in the second set and forged a massive advantage after rattling off ten of the opening 11 games. Nadal made one last push on his beloved Court Philippe-Chatrier, pulling two breaks back and firing a cracking forehand winner in the eighth game to lock the result at 4-4 and increase the drama.
However, Novak kept his composure and delivered a late break before sealing the deal on his serve at 5-4. Chasing the doubles medal, Rafa joined forces with Carlos Alcaraz, sharing the court with the next big Spaniard. They defeated three teams before falling to Krajicek and Ram in straight sets, with Nadal playing his last Olympic Games match.
Not willing to embrace best-of-five duels, the Spaniard missed the US Open and withdrew from the Laver Cup before announcing retirement. The veteran will compete at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh this week before competing for his country for the final time in Malaga in November.
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"Rafa tried to make a comeback, believing he could have played one last good season on clay. It did not happen, and Rafa realized it was impossible for him to stay on the Tour and play more matches. There were no other options but to stop," Toni Nadal said.
