RAFAEL NADAL has confirmed his retirement from tennis after an incredible career.
The Spaniard, 38, won 22 Grand Slams including a staggering 14 at his beloved French Open.
But he has called time after struggling with injuries in recent years.
Nadal will make his final appearance as a professional at next month’s Davis Cup finals in Malaga in front of an adoring home crowd.
The tennis superstar – who bows out as one of the all-time greats – shared an emotional five-minute video on social media this morning which was captioned: “Many thanks to all.”
He said: “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially.
“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”
Nadal secured his first Grand Slam on his debut at the French Open in 2005, two days after his 19th birthday.
Incredibly, he won his first 31 matches at Roland Garros and picked up the trophy in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.