“It has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” the Spanish star said in a video announcing the news Thursday.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal announced his retirement Thursday at age 38.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner known for his dominance on Europe’s clay courts and his on-court rivalry with Roger Federer, said he would play his final match in November’s Davis Cup.
“It has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” the Spanish star said in a video, referencing the latter, injury-plagued years of his career. “I don’t think I’ve been able to play