This year has been a sobering final season for Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard decided to draw the curtains on his illustrious career of nearly two decades after recurring injuries ‘limited’ his dominant on-court skills. Before commencing his final dance at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga wearing Spanish colors, Nadal issued a poignant admission – one where he enlisted reasons for his emotional farewell from the sport.

Rafa amassed a plethora of admirers around the world with his tenacity and perseverance on the tour. On October 10, the former World No. 1 took to social media and in a heartfelt video stated, “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis. it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”

Having arrived at the annual group event and later, practicing alongside countryman Carlos Alcaraz, the 38-year-old is aiming to bring glory to his nation for a final time, and, with it, a triumphant conclusion to his professional career. While talking to the reporters, Rafa dug deep into the reasons for his retirement decision. Nadal highlighted how he was smart enough to realize his shortcomings and, access the situation for what it is – that he cannot keep up with the sport’s young talents. He doesn’t have the ‘ego’ to prolong his career.

The Spanish maestro said, “I cannot be competitive enough and am not able to enjoy my daily basis the way I need to be competitive at a high level. I can hold on for one more year but why? To say goodbye every single tournament. I don’t have the ego to need that. So at the end, this is about a feeling that I’ve been thinking for a long time, and for me today it doesn’t make sense or keep going knowing that I don’t have a real chance to be competitive in a way that (I) like.”

What’s rather important for an iconic player like Nadal is whether he is at peace with his decision. Thankfully, he is. Moreover, he touched down on it extensively in Malaga.

Rafael Nadal remarks on his tennis journey that started at the age of 3

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal is one of those players whose entire life screams tennis. His passion and dedication to earning laurels in the sport helped the former World No. 1 dominate the ATP for years. And the rest is history. Subsequently, in a pre-tournament presser in Malaga, Nadal explained that he is at peace ending his career at the Davis Cup.

While talking to the reporters, Nadal said, “At the end, I achieved the most important thing for me, because this day arrived and I am in peace that I gave all that I had. I played and I practiced since I was seven. I started at three but at that age, I started to work more and more with passion, with love, and with the determination to be as good as possible.”

With a clear agenda in mind, Nadal and Alcaraz’s team Spain will take on team Netherlands in the quarterfinal on November 19. After a harsh conclusion to their doubles rubber at the Paris Olympics, the duo will look to lift the season’s Davis Cup in style!