Published: 17:52, October 10, 2024 | Updated: 18:20, October 10, 2024
Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis at end of season
By Reuters
Rafael Nadal of Spain greets spectators after the men's singles second round match of tennis against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Paris Olympics on July 29, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

PARIS - Spain's Rafa Nadal, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, said on Thursday he was putting an end to his professional tennis career, a decision effective after the Davis Cup final.

"It has been some difficult years, these last two especially," the 38-year-old, who won a record 14 French Open titles, said in a video.

"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."

Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a backhand during his semi-final men's singles match against Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic in the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden, on July 20, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

The Davis Cup knockout phase will be played over Nov 19-24.

Nadal's career has been hampered by injuries and he missed the 2023 French Open and was beaten in the first round by German Alexander Zverev this year.

READ MORE: Nadal to miss French Open, 2024 likely to be last year of career

He won his last Roland Garros title in 2022 and left the Paris clay on a jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record.