00:00Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, announced his retirement from professional
00:23tennis effectively after the Davis Cup final in November.
00:28The 38-year-old, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic singles gold, made
00:34this announcement on X, thanking fans in 13-plus languages.
00:38Nadal, a record 14-time French Open champion, explained that persistent injuries have been
00:45the major factor in this decision, causing him to miss several tournaments over the past
00:50couple of years.
00:53Earlier this year, in May, Nadal already bid an emotional farewell to the fans at the Madrid
00:58Open, a tournament he had won five times.
01:02Reflecting on his farewell, Nadal expressed mixed emotions, stating that he is unsure
01:06if he will ever play an official match again given his physical condition.
01:12Nadal described his final weeks of competition as very special, noting that the chances to
01:18play on the court again is now unforgettable.
01:23He highlighted that just before the Barcelona Open, he was uncertain whether he will be
01:28able to return to professional tennis, but playing two consecutive weeks gave him an
01:33immense satisfaction.
01:36He has acknowledged the unconditional support he has received throughout his career, especially
01:42from the Madrid Open, which played a significant role in shaping his professional journey.
01:48In his farewell message, Nadal conveyed deep gratitude to his fans and supporters, saying
01:53that his career has been an incredible journey that started when he was a child.
02:00He recalled his first visit to Madrid in 2003, when the tournament was still played indoors,
02:05and noted that his 2005 victory at the Madrid Open was the most exciting moment of his career.
02:13Throughout his journey, Nadal became very known for his remarkable achievement on clay
02:17court, particularly at the French Open.
02:20His dominance in the sport, combined with his resilience and sportsmanship, made him
02:25a beloved figure worldwide.
02:29With his retirement, the tennis loses one of his greatest players, but his legacy will
02:34undoubtedly endure as one of the sport's most inspiring champions.
02:43Don't miss out.
02:58Log on to OneIndia.com for more updates.
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