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The 38-year-old Nadal has over two decades of professional play behind him, becoming the second member of the renowned Big Three in men’s tennis to step away. Roger Federer made his exit known in 2022, while Novak Djokovic remains a formidable presence at the top of the sport.
“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,” Nadal remarked. “And I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
For those wanting to tune in to Nadal’s farewell at the Davis Cup:
— In the United States: Tennis Channel
— A list for other countries will be available starting Monday.
As for when Nadal’s final match will be, the exact timing is uncertain due to the team format of the Davis Cup and the current structure known as the “Final 8,” which begins at the quarterfinal stage. Spain will be up against the Netherlands on Tuesday. If they win, they’ll progress to face either Canada or Germany in the semifinals on Friday. The other quarterfinal matchups, set for Thursday, will feature the United States versus Australia, and the reigning champions, Italy, taking on Argentina. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, with two singles matches and one doubles match in each round; the first country to achieve two wins advances. A variable in this scenario is whether Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, opts to have Nadal play in singles, doubles, both, or potentially not at all.
Nadal’s teammates for this year’s Davis Cup include four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers.
Nadal’s decision to retire now primarily stems from ongoing injury issues, which have included a troublesome foot, abdominal muscle strains, and a hip problem that required surgical intervention last season. “The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal shared. “I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
In the past two seasons, Nadal’s appearances have been limited due to these injuries; he holds a 12-7 record in 2024. His last official match took place in early August during the Paris Olympics, where he faced his long-time rival, Djokovic, in the second round of singles and partnered with Alcaraz in doubles, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated. Additionally, Nadal participated in a couple of exhibition matches last month in Saudi Arabia.
Ultimately, Nadal’s career culminates with a total of 22 Grand Slam singles victories, which places him behind Djokovic’s 24 titles among male competitors in tennis history, while ahead of Federer’s 20. His achievements include 14 titles at the French Open, four at the U.S. Open, two at Wimbledon, and two at the Australian Open, with his last Grand Slam title secured in Paris in 2022, requiring nerve-numbing injections in his left foot.
Nadal has profoundly impacted Spain’s success in the Davis Cup, contributing to the nation’s championship wins in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019 at various stages. His first title was secured when a young Nadal triumphed over the then-No. 2, Andy Roddick, propelling Spain past the U.S. “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” Nadal expressed. “I think I’ve come full circle because one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.”
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