Rafael Nadal to retire: "My intention is that 2024 will be my last year"

Rafael Nadal announced that his professional career will end in 2024. The legendary Spanish tennis player, who will turn 37 on June 3 and who has not played a tournament since January, held a press conference at his academy in Manacor, Spain, to inform of his decision that has shaken the tennis world. "If I keep playing at this moment, I don't think I can be next year. My intention is that next year will be my last and I can play the tournaments I want to say goodbye to those who have left a mark on me," he said.

"What happens next year, I don't know. If I'm competitive again to win Grand Slams, I don't know, after an important break it's difficult, but why not. I'm going to try to give myself a chance to compete again and I intend to make it my last year. Then you don't know what might happen. I am going to try to make sure that my last year is not in vain, that I can compete at the highest level. To get to this tour and be able to compete to fight for them. Then we will have to wait to see the reality," continued the Spanish tennis player.

Injuries: the major obstacle in his career

If anything, injuries have prevented him from extending his legendary career, causing him to say that 2024 could be his last year as a professional tennis player. Nadal confirmed that he will take a break for the rest of the season:

Will not play Roland Garros this year

Undoubtedly, Nadal is one of the best tennis players in history thanks to an innate competitive gene. He has been most dominant on clay, having won 14 French Opens in 18 editions that he has played and numerous other tournaments on this surface.

Nadal also confirmed that he will not attend this year's edition of The French Open, which will begin on May 22. "If you're not happy, it ends up affecting your personal life. I was looking forward to playing in Paris, but it's not possible. I have not finished improving what I needed to compete at the level I need," he said.

Reactions to his retirement

Nadal has received praise from his peers throughout his career. As expected, his retirement announcement came as no exception. "Lots of encouragement Rafa! Very painful and sad for everyone that you can't be at Roland Garros or play anymore this year, but wishing that 2024 will be a great season for you and you can say goodbye as the great champion you are!" tweeted Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.

His favorite tournament, The French Open, also wanted to lavish praise on his greatest champion:

Second of the 'big three' to retire

In the last two decades, tennis fans have seen three players fight for every title and dominate the professional circuit: Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. This "big three" have been titans on the court and given fans one of the best rivalries in any sport.

Nadal will be the second of the "big three" to retire. The first was Federer, who announced his departure from professional tennis on Sept. 15, 2022, after playing the Laver Cup. That tournament left fans with a photo for the history books: Nadal crying next to the Swiss tennis player after playing his last match.

After Nadal's retirement, only Djokovic will be left. The Serbian tennis player appears to be past the prime of his career, but it is never too late for him to exhibit the high level at which he has played over the years. It will come as a challenge, since a new generation of players has already begun to surprise the tennis world.