Madrid (AFP) - The star Rafael Nadal announced Thursday in a video on social networks that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the Davis Cup final to be played in Malaga in November.

“Everything in life has a beginning and an end and I think it's the right time to put an end to a long and much more successful career than I could have ever imagined,” an emotional Nadal said in a video along with the message ‘A thousand thanks to all’ written in a dozen languages.

Winner of 92 ATP titles, including 22 Grand Slams, Nadal will bring his career to a close at the Davis Cup 'Final 8' to be played in Malaga, southern Spain, from Nov. 19-24.

“It makes me very excited that my last tournament will be the Davis Cup final, representing my country,” said Nadal.

“I think it's like closing the circle, because one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004” that Spain won, the first of the five 'Ensaladeras' that Nadal has in his trophy cabinet (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019).

Nadal's entire career has been marked not only by successes, but also by injuries, especially in recent years, in which he has barely been able to compete.
“The reality is that these have been difficult years, especially these last two. I have not been able to play without limitations,” admitted the tennis player with the record number of victories at Roland Garros (14).

All this has led him to retire: “It's a decision that is obviously difficult, which has taken me time to make”.

“I feel super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience,” he added despite everything.