End of an era: Nadal to retire at this year’s Davis Cup Final 8
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced that his last event as a professional player will be at this year’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga
The 38-year-old, who has been struggling with injuries over recent years, has decided to call time on his illustrious career which has seen him win four Davis Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals and 22 Grand Slam titles among countless other accolades.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” Nadal said in a retirement video posted on social media on Thursday. “I think I have come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.”
As well as going down in history as the greatest clay-court player of all time, Nadal will also be remembered for an astonishing Davis Cup record.
After losing his first-ever singles match (against Jiri Novak), he has gone undefeated for 20 years and he still has time to add to his extraordinary record of 37 wins and five losses (29-1 in singles and 8-4 in doubles).
He will feature in a Spanish line-up alongside Carlos Alcaraz in what will feel like a passing of the baton.
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Spain face Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Tuesday 19 November. If they can get through that one, they will take on the winners of Canada v Germany in the semis on Friday 22 November with all eyes likely to be on the Davis Cup Final on Sunday 24 November.
The Davis Cup Finals are taking place alongside the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. The full schedule, and information about getting hold of tickets, is available here: