Rafael Nadal Says He Will Retire From Tennis after Davis Cup

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced he will be retiring from the sport after the Davis Cup finals next month.

"Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true," Nadal, 38, said on social media. "I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way."

Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles over the course of his career, which spanned an era dominated by him and his two rivals, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, together known as the Big Three.

"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal said, referring to recent injuries. "I don't think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end."

The so-called King of Clay earned the moniker with his record 14 French Open championships. No tennis player, man or woman, has won so many titles at any of the four major tennis tournaments.

The Spaniard said he is excited to that his final tournament will be the Davis Cup, set to be played in Malaga, Spain.

"I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country," Nadal said. "I think I've come full circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004."

Nadal last played in the Paris Olympics. In the singles tournament, he lost to Djokovic in the second round, and in men's doubles he made it to the quarterfinals with Carlos Alcaraz.

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