Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from tennis on social media, ending an incredible career which saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles.

A whopping 14 of those came at the French Open, with the 38-year-old Spanish legend earning the nickname ‘King of Clay’ due to his dominance on the red dirt.

Nadal goes down as one of the greatest and most loved players in the history of professional men’s tennis and has joined fellow Big Four stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray in hanging up his racket.

He massively struggled with injury in his twilight years and his final professional event will be representing Spain at November’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

His last match could be against Botic van de Zandschulp on November 19 if Spain fail to progress past the Netherlands.

In a video message released on Thursday, Nadal said: ‘I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.

‘The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.’

Nadal has spoken several times about plans to end his career and strongly hinted this year would be his last on the ATP Tour.

The tennis icon, perhaps most famous for his heroics at Roland Garros and his remarkable rivalry with Federer, missed most of 2023 with a hip injury.

He goes down as the most successful player in French Open history having won 14 singles titles in Paris and winning 112 of his 116 matches at the Grand Slam.

Nadal won the US Open four times and clinched two titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open respectively.

He registered an Olympic gold medal in singles at 2008 Beijing and in doubles at Rio 2016 alongside Marc Lopez.

Nadal has helped Spain win the team-based Davis Cup five times and last month he was included in their squad for the 2024 Finals, which take place from November 19 to November 24.

‘I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could ever have imagined,’ Nadal added.

‘I’m very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.’

That will be Nadal’s last professional appearance, although he could potentially play one last exhibition match with Federer if the right offer came along.

Once fierce rivals, Nadal and Federer are now very close friends and played doubles together when the Swiss hero hung up his own racket in 2022.

Federer has paid tribute to Nadal following news of his retirement and said: ‘What a career, Rafa!

‘I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memoires and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour.’

Djokovic, meanwhile, speaking about Nadal last month, said: ‘He is the greatest, maybe the only reason why I don’t have more Roland Garros titles. Every win against him there is worth twice as much.’

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