Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis, pulling the plug on an illustrious career spanning 23 years.
Nadal, aged 38 announced he will bow out of the sport next month, revealing that the Davis Cup in Malaga will be his final event in a video message shared on social media on Thursday.
The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, including 14 French Open victories said: ‘Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.’
The Spaniard is highly regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, earning the title ‘King of Clay’ for his dominance on the red dirt at Rolland Garros.
Rafael Nadal, 38, confirms retirement date in emotional goodbye video
The Spaniard bows out of the sport as a 22-time Grand Slam title winner
The Spaniard is highly regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, earning the title ‘King of Clay’ for his dominance on the red dirt at Rolland Garros
Rafael Nadal Net Worth
Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
However that isn’t the only he can be proud of, the Spaniard is also one of the richest tennis players in history.
Since turning pro back in 2001, the Tennis ace has amassed $135million (£103m) in prize money according to the ATP tour, just second to rival Novak Djokovic on the all-time list.
And according to Celebrity Net Worth, the 38-year-old is estimated to have a net worth of $220m (£168m).
This past year alone, Nadal has earned in $301,661 (£230,772) from on-court earnings and his status as one of the biggest names in Tennis has seen him rack in $23.3m (£17.8m) in 2024 from his affairs away from the court according to Forbes which include appearances and sponsorship deals.
Since turning pro back in 2001, the Tennis ace has amassed $135million (£103m) in prize money
According to Celebrity Net Worth , the 38-year-old is estimated to have a net worth of $220m (£168m)
Nadal’s Sponsorship deals and Endorsements
The 22-time Grand Slam winner has pocketed millions through sponsorship deals and endorsements.
Nadal has a career-long endorsement with Nike, with the ‘King of Clay’ opting to always don the infamous Nike swoosh when kitting out for all tournaments.
The 38-year-old also has long-standing relations with Kia Motors and has recently penned down a new deal with Infosys.
Whilst simultaneously becoming an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian tennis federation, which is widely believed to be paying him seven figures annually.
Other deals which the Spaniard has pocketed from include luxury fashion brands Emporio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger and Babolat.
He also appeared in a Louis Vuitton campaign alongside fellow Tennis great Roger Federer and invested in racket sports booking company Playtomic.
Other companies which have sponsored him throughout the years include Cantabria Labs, Heineken N.V., LVMH, Richard Mille, Santander, Subway and Telefonica.
Nadal has a career-long endorsement with Nike, with the ‘King of Clay’ opting to always don the infamous Nike swoosh when kitting out for all tournaments
He has multiple sponsors which include deals with Kia Motors, Santander and Emporio Armani
He also appeared in a Louis Vuitton campaign alongside fellow Tennis great Roger Federer
What did Rafael Nadal say about his retirement
In a video message, Nadal said: ‘Hello everyone, I’m here to tell you that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play with out limitations.
‘It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me a long time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end.
‘And I think this is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could ever have imagined.
‘But I am very exited that my last tournament will be the finals of the Davis Cup an representing my country. I’ve come full circle because one of my first great joys as a tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004.’