Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement from Tennis

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from professional tennis after competing in the Davis Cup in Málaga next week, marking the end of an illustrious career. Nadal, who has faced numerous injuries leading to a drop in his ranking to 155, expressed that he prefers to limit his participation to doubles if he feels unprepared for singles matches. His retirement has inspired fellow player Carlos Alcaraz, who views this tournament as a significant motivation to win for Nadal, emphasizing the special emotional circumstances surrounding his farewell. Nadal chose the Davis Cup for his final event due to the historical significance it holds for him, recalling his first participation in 2004 as a pivotal moment in his career. The Davis Cup Finals will see Spain facing the Netherlands, and Nadal's farewell is expected to attract many tennis legends, including his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. As Nadal exits the sport, Novak Djokovic will remain the last member of the iconic 'Big Three' still active on the tour.