One of the greatest tennis players of all time is set to walk away from the sport at the end of the season.

Rafael Nadal announced that he will retire from tennis after the Davis Cup in Malaga next month.

The 38-year-old Nadal will hang up his racket after 22 grand slams including 14 titles at the French Open.

“I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal said “The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these two especially. “I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that takes me some time to make.

“But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.

“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country. 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 Sevilla in 2004. I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry.”

Nadal will represent his native Spain as they take on the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on November 19th-21st.

When it’s all said and done, late next month, Nadal will go down as one of the greatest players ever.

From the time he burst onto the scene, Nadal has found success. In 2005 five, he won the French Open in his first attempt.

2005-2008 saw Nadal win four straight tournaments at Roland Garros beginning his dominance on clay.

Overall, Nadal made 30 Grand Slam finals appearances, winning 22, and lifted 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles.

“I feel super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” Nadal said. “I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals.

I’ve spent many, many hours with them, and I’ve lived many moments that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me, because in the end, my team has been a very important part of my life. They’re not just co-workers. They are friends.
“Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way I can only end by saying, a thousand thanks to you all. See you soon.”