Madrid, Spain

King of Clay and tennis legend Rafael Nadal announced his retirement on Thursday (Oct 10). Taking to social media, Nadal confirmed that he will retire at the end of the end, with next month's Davis Cup 2024 in Malaga to be his last tournament. 

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"I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal said in a video on social media. "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."

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Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams, including 14 French Open wins, capping off his glorious career with 92 titles. Of the 115 times he competed at Roland Garros in Paris, Nadal lost thrice - an incredible feat. Though he won his first French Open in 2005, just days before his 19th birthday, his final title run at his favourite Slam came in 2022, becoming the oldest to do so.

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Besides, he won the US Open four times and, Australian Open twice, with the first coming in 2009 and the second 13 years later in 2022. Nadal is also a two-time Wimbledon champion, winning in 2008 and 2010. 

Nadal's win over Wimbledon own's and tennis great Roger Federer in the 2008 Final (across five sets), which ended in almost complete darkness at the All England Club, is widely dubbed as the greatest Slam Final ever played. 

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Nadal, one of the most decorated tennis players ever, completed a career Golden Slam in 2008 after winning an Olympic gold; he is also a five-time Davis Cup champion. 

Meanwhile, Nadal announced that Davis Cup 2024, to be played from November 19-24, to be his last tournament. 

"It has been some difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal continued. "I am very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup representing my country. It's closing the circle because one of my first joys was the final in Sevilla in 2004."

Injury-marred Nadal's career

Nadal's body started breaking down last year when he announced he would step aside from tennis in 2024.

The 38-year-old missed the first Slam of this year due to a thigh injury; however, he returned to play in the French Open, where he got knocked out in the first round. 

Nadal played the home Summer Games in Paris, where he suffered a defeat at the hands of eventual gold medal winner Novak Djokovic. 

(With inputs from agencies)