Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Tennis

Rafael Nadal , the Spanish tennis superstar with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, is retiring from tennis after more than two decades in the sport.

Nadal made the announcement in an emotional video on social media on Oct. 10.

"Hello, everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis ," the acclaimed player began. "The reality is that it's been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I've been capable of playing 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. And I think it’s the right time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined," he continued.

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While it certainly is saddening news for some, Nadal is viewing it as the beginning of a new chapter. He declared that his last time on the court will be at the Davis Cup finals next month.

"I'm 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," he mused.

"I feel super, super lucky for all the things I've been able to experience," he concluded. "I want to thank the entire tennis industry—all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals. I have spent many hours with them and I've lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life."

He went on to thank his team and his loved ones, including his parents, sister, wife, and two-year-old son, as well as his uncle, tennis coach Toni Nadal, whom he says inspired him to start playing tennis.

Nadal retires from tennis with 22 Grand Slam titles and many other accolades including two Olympic gold medals . His career will officially come to an end after playing for Spain in the Davis Cup finals from Nov. 19 to 24.