Rafael Nadal’s unrepentant farewell: “I gave it my all.”

Rafael Nadal talked candidly about his feelings when he decided to retire. The 22-time Major champion spoke out about his internal conflict as he tried to decide whether to retire from the sport that shaped his life.

Despite the physical toll and uncertainty, the 14-time Roland Garros winner was open about the fact that, at last year’s Roland Garros, the decision to retire had not yet been made. In the end, Nadal claims he is “completely at peace” with his choice to retire.

Rafa, who was well-known for his unwavering tenacity and unrivaled battling spirit, made the choice to retire with great care. It was made clearly, though. His remarks reveal a man who gave his all on the court and who now leaves feeling content and prepared for the next phase of his life.

The Spaniard finished his remarkable career at last year’s Davis Cup Finals suffering multiple setbacks with injuries. The veteran sacrificed everything to prolong his career and finish it on his terms. But he could take no more suffering, so he turned the page and quit his favorite sport.

Rafa’s triumphs at Roland Garros and the Australian Open in the first half of 2022 marked his last effort. At Wimbledon, he had an abdominal ailment and had to quit before the semifinals. His last deep run at Majors was that one!

Despite lacking form and momentum, Rafael Nadal ended the season in second place, behind Carlos Alcaraz. He missed the remainder of the 2023 Australian Open after suffering a serious injury to his left hip. Rafa returned to Brisbane at the start of 2024 after putting in a lot of effort in the second half of the year.

The 14-time champion lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Olympic Games and to Alexander Zverev in the first round at Roland Garros, despite his best efforts to regain his former form, even on his favorite clay.