Rafael Nadal has retired from tennis. The 38-year-old Nadal’s tennis career ended with Spain’s exit from the Davis Cup. Spain lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup. Playing in his final tournament, Nadal lost to Bottic van de Zaschulp 6–4, 6–4 in the opening match in Malaga. This was Nadal’s first competitive match loss since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics. In Paris, he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles category. He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles quarterfinals.
Nadal gave an emotional farewell speech after the Davis Cup loss. The 22 Grand Slam veteran said after the loss that he had lost his first match in the Davis Cup and now he had lost his last match as well. Thus he has completed a circle.
38-year-old Rafael Nadal is counted among the world’s greatest tennis players. He is the tennis star with the second most Grand Slam wins after Novak Djokovic. Djokovic has 24 titles while Nadal has won 22 titles. Being the most successful French Open player, he is also called the king of red clay. Out of 22 Grand Slam titles, he won 14 titles in the form of French Open. Apart from this, he has won US Open 4 times and Wimbledon and Australian Open titles 2 times each. Apart from this, he also won gold medal in singles category in tennis in 2008 Olympics.
Male players who have won the most singles Grand Slam titles
- Novak Djokovic – 24
- Rafael Nadal- 22
- Roger Federer- 20
- Pete Sampras- 14
- Roy Emerson- 12