Throughout his career, the Spanish subordinate earned a whopping 22 Grand Slam titles, 2nd lone to Novak Djokovic’s 24 for men's tennis. He was the youngest subordinate successful the Open Era to gain a vocation Grand Slam (winning each of the 4 large titles), astatine the property of 24, and helium holds the all-time grounds of titles for a azygous tourney with 14 French Open titles: an accomplishment that earned him his “King of Clay” nickname, the aboveground connected which helium was virtually unbeatable.

Plus, helium has 2 Olympic golden medals to boot.

In his announcement, Rafael shared his last nonrecreational tourney volition beryllium successful the Davis Cup’s Final 8 circular successful November, wherever helium volition correspond his country. 

It is simply a “full circle” infinitesimal for the player, arsenic helium noted a large turning constituent successful his aboriginal vocation was the Davis Cup last successful 2004, held successful Sevilla, successful which helium bested satellite No. 2 Andy Roddick at the property of 18 to instrumentality location the rubric for Spain.

“I consciousness super, ace fortunate for each the things I’ve been capable to experience,” the 38-year-old continued. “I privation to convey the full tennis industry, All the radical progressive successful this sport: my long-time colleagues, particularly my large rivals.”

And arsenic clips of Rafael shaking hands with Novak and Roger Federer, who besides became 1 of his closest friends, played, helium added, “I person spent many, galore hours with them, and I person lived galore moments that I volition retrieve for the remainder of my life."

Rafael past went connected to convey his idiosyncratic team, noting doing truthful was “a small but much difficult,” arsenic his eyes filled with tears. After all, radical similar his uncle Toni Nadal and manager Carlos Moya person been by his broadside for galore years. As Rafael noted, “They are not conscionable coworkers, they are friends.”

And successful summation to affectional messages of gratitude to his parents Ana María Parera Femenías and Sebastián Nadal Homar, thanking them for the sacrifices they made successful bid for him to go the champion helium could be, Rafael besides took a infinitesimal to convey his woman Mery, with whom he shares a 2-year-old son. 

And for Rafael, helium leaves the crippled he’s fixed truthful overmuch of his beingness to—and which has fixed him truthful overmuch successful return—with nary regrets.

“I permission with the implicit bid of caput having fixed my best,” helium concluded his announcement. “Of having made an effort successful each way. I tin lone extremity by saying a 1000 acknowledgment to all, and spot you soon.”