Rafael Nadal has shared insights into his decision to retire as he prepares for his final appearance in professional tennis, representing Spain at the Davis Cup. The 22-time Grand Slam champion reflected on the timing of his retirement, stating, "I can hold on for one more year. But why? To say goodbye at every tournament? I don't have that ego to need that." At 38 years old, Nadal is set to compete in his last tournament in his home country before concluding an illustrious career. He announced his retirement plans in October and is currently in Málaga as part of the Spanish team, which includes rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Spain is scheduled to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal's announcement of his retirement next month has sparked a wave of tributes from across the sporting world. The tennis legend, who has claimed 22 Grand Slam titles and held the world No. 1 ranking for 209 weeks, shared the news in a heartfelt video on social media, describing it as a "difficult decision." Nadal's retirement, set to take place after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals, has drawn emotional responses from fellow athletes and fans alike. Roger Federer expressed his sentiments, stating, "I hoped this day would never come," while other sports icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé joined rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in honoring Nadal's legacy. The outpouring of affection highlighted Nadal's status as a "legend," "role model," and "inspiration" to many, reflecting the profound impact he has had on the sport and beyond. As the tennis community prepares to bid farewell to one of its greatest players, the admiration for Nadal's contributions to the game continues to resonate.

Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, revealing that he will step away from the sport at the conclusion of the upcoming season, following the Davis Cup Finals next month. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Nadal has achieved an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles throughout his career, placing him second on the men's all-time list, just behind Novak Djokovic. In expressing his feelings about this significant decision, Nadal stated, "I feel super lucky."