‘I’ve left a legacy’, says Nadal following tennis retirement

Rafael Nadal, one of tennis’s greatest icons, announced his retirement from professional tennis on Tuesday at the Davis Cup.

The 38-year-old Spaniard bowed out after a defeat in the opening singles rubber during Spain’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, which ended Spain’s hopes of advancing.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, retires with a career that has spanned 23 years, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Reflecting on his journey, Nadal said he takes pride in the legacy he has left, both as a competitor and as an individual.

His illustrious career includes numerous historic moments, highlighted by his unmatched dominance on clay courts and his fierce rivalries with tennis legends such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Known for his grit, sportsmanship, and resilience, Nadal’s contributions extend beyond titles, shaping the ethos of modern tennis.

His retirement signals the end of an era but cements his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

“I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,” Nadal told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honour his retirement.

“I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.”

Nadal paid credit to many who have helped him along the way, including his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him as a child and for a large part of his career.

“The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca,” continued Nadal.

“I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment.

“I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed.”

Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where over 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close.

Former rival Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and other tennis greats left messages in the video, alongside former Spanish football stars including Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October.

“I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,” said Nadal in his emotional speech.

The Spaniard said he hoped to be a “good ambassador” for tennis in the years to come and was not afraid to begin his retirement.

“I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next,” he explained.

“I have a great family around me who help me with everything that I need every day.”