It was not easy for Rafael Nadal to call it quits, but he knew it was the right time.
The 38-year-old tennis superstar announced his impending retirement from the sport on Thursday with an emotional video posted to social media.
He will finish at the of the 2024 season, with his final acts seeing him compete in the Six Kings Slam tournament in Riyadh - which will be broadcast on DAZN and free to watch - and the Davis Cup for Spain.
Nadal will walk away from the game that made him a household name around the world just two years removed from winning his final two Grand Slam titles — the Australian Open and French Open in 2022 — but he acknowledged that his final years have not been easy despite the relatively recent success.
"The reality is that they have been difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal said. "I don't think I have been able to play without limitations. It is a decision that is obviously difficult, that has taken me time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end.
"And I think it's the right time to put an end to what has been a long career and much more successful than I could have ever imagined."
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Nadal will leave tennis having made an indelible mark on the sport. The winner of 92 singles titles, including 22 Grand Slams, Nadal was most dominant on the clay courts of Roland-Garros, where he captured a record 14 French Open titles. Additionally, he has two Olympic gold medals to his name as he won the men's singles tournament at Beijing 2008 and teamed with Marc Lopez to claim the men's doubles in 2016.
He also spearheaded four David Cup titles as the star of the Spanish team, winning in 2004, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
"I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience," Nadal said.
"I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people who encompass this sport. My teammates for so many years, especially my great rivals. I have spent many hours with them and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life."
Nadal will play his final match at the David Cup Finals in November, where Spain have reached the quarter-finals, but before that he'll take part in the Six Kings Slam tournament later this month.
What is the Six Kings Slam Tournament?
The Six Kings Slam is an exhibition tennis tournament held across three days and featuring six big-name players.
As it's a non-ATP-sanctioned event, players will not earn any ranking points. Each of the six participants is guaranteed a minimum prize of $1,500,000 USD, with the winner will taking home the largest prize in tennis history, $6,000,000 USD - almost double the prize money for a Grand Slam champion
Can I watch the Six Kings Slam on DAZN?
The competition will be streamed live and for free on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe.
You just need a freemium DAZN membership. Register here for a free DAZN account to watch Six Kings Slam .
