Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis.
The 38-year-old, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced the news in an emotional video message posted on X.
“Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” the Spaniard said.
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“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations,” he said.
“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 appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”
Nadal achieved a series of incredible records on clay but was an all-time great on all surfaces. He proved anyone putting him into a box marked “clay specialist” was mistaken.
However, the 14-time French Open winner, who also boasts four US Open titles and won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, has struggled with various injuries over the last few years.
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Image: Nadal boasts 112 victories at Roland Garros, including 14 French Open titles. File pic: Action Images/Reuters/Jason O’Brien
Nadal missed the 2023 French Open and won his last Roland Garros title in 2022, leaving the tournament on a jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record.
He admitted in May last year he was staring at the end of his career and that he hoped to be able to play a final year on tour in 2024.
His final match will be for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, in what will be an emotional end to an illustrious career.
“I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” the tennis star revealed in the video post.
He said playing in the tournament would bring a fitting end to his career because “one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004”.
Spain defeated the United States with a then 18-year-old Nadal victorious against the USA’s Andy Roddick.
Image: Nadal celebrating his win against the USA’s Andy Roddick in the Davis Cup final at Sevilla’s Olympic Stadium in December 2004. Pic: Reuters
Nadal’s successes came during an extraordinary period of international tennis when he, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and, for a while, Britain’s Andy Murray, dominated the sport.
The former men’s world number one was visibly emotional when Federer, whom he played against 40 times, retired at the Laver Cup in 2022.
“I feel super lucky for all the things I have been able to experience,” Nadal said in his statement.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals.
“I have spent many hours with them and have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Analysis – An era of greatness is ending in tennis as Nadal joins Federer and Murray
Up close, Rafael Nadal’s athleticism, dedication and willpower was a sight to behold.
None more so than on the grass of Wimbledon in July 2008 – in the fading light of Centre Court, before the roof and lights arrived, on far from his favourite surface. So early in his career, this was the final that embodied Nadal’s fighting spirit. And it was an epic – then the longest-ever final at the All England Club.
No one in the stands wanted it to end. Or be forced to come back the next day. The near-darkness just added to the drama and sense of occasion as – 12 minutes short of five hours – Roger Federer was finally overcome.
The first of Nadal’s two Wimbledon titles was won through so much more than brute force – powered by the bulging biceps.
The topspin technique and ferocity of the forehand was mesmerising.
And it was on the red courts of Roland Garros where Nadal excelled like no player before him.
The King of Clay has 14 French Open titles to his name – more than any man or woman at a tennis major – and 22 Grand Slam successes in total. Only Novak Djokovic has won more.
Only Djokovic is left standing on court, yet to hang up his racket.
.An era of greatness is ending in tennis with Nadal joining Federer and Andy Murray in retirement.
Federer was quick to pay a tribute to his friend and great rival.
“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come,” the Swiss and 20-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour,” he added.
Image: Nadal with tennis rivals – and friends – (L-R) Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the 02 Arena, London, in 2022. Pic: Action Images via Reuters
Former Real Madrid – the team Nadal supports – and Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: “Rafa, what an incredible race you’ve had!”
Nadal went on to thank his support team who he said has been a very important part of his life. “They are not just co-workers, they are friends,” he said, adding: “My family is everything to me.”
He spoke of the “sacrifices” his mother Ana Maria had made – and also hailed his wife and partner of 19 years, Mery, for being by his side while on tour over the years.
“To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive,” he said, referring to their child Rafael Jr.
There was also a nod to his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, who he said “is the reason I started playing tennis”, and to his father Sebastian Nadal who he described as a “source of inspiration”.
“And finally you, the fans,” he said.
“I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment.”
Image: Fans at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris in May. Pic: AP
“Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal added.
“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 all – and see you soon.”
Nadal in numbers
22 – Grand Slam titles
14 – French Open titles
112 – Victories at Roland Garros
4 – US Open titles
2 – Wimbledon titles
2 – Australian Open titles
30 – Grand Slam final appearances
92 – Tour-level singles titles
2 – Olympic gold medals (one in singles and one in doubles)
36 – ATP Masters 1000 titles
4 – Davis Cup titles with Spain
209 – Weeks spent at world number one
912 – consecutive weeks spent in the top 10
24 – victories over Roger Federer from 40 matches
29 – victories over Novak Djokovic from 60 matches
Sky Sports tennis commentator Jonathan Overend said: “To win 14 times at the same Grand Slam tennis tournament, many careers don’t get anywhere near 14 years and he’s won the thing that many times – absolute madness. The longevity of the guy in the greatest era and that’s what makes Djokovic as the last man standing out of this elite band.
“These numbers will never be repeated on the clay, particularly at Roland Garros. Anyone who saw that beast of a man up close, sometimes in those sleeveless shirts, displaying the guns, bringing out all those shots, recovering from ridiculous positions in the court to beat the other greatest players of all time, it was such a privilege to watch his career.”
The government is warning people not to travel to Israel under any circumstances, as the country’s missile exchange with Iran shows no sign of abating.
On Friday, the Foreign Office warned against “all but essential travel” to most of Israel.
The areas around Gaza, the West Bank and the Golan Heights were already classed as red zones, with warnings to avoid travel to these areas.
But the government has now updated the warning for the remainder of the country to red.
This puts Israel on the same level as Iran, and the change of advice is also likely to impact travel insurance.
However, with Israel’s airspace closed, it is unlikely many people will be attempting the journey, and Israel’s national airline El Al has announced it is cancelling flights to and from many European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow, until 23 June.
The change in travel advice comes after a second night of ballistic missile barrages from Iran following Israel’s attack in the early hours of Friday morning.
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An eight-storey residential building in Tel Aviv was hit by a missile last night.
On Sunday morning, Israel’s health ministry said 12 people had been killed over the past day, taking the total since Friday to 15. It also said 385 people had arrived at hospital with injuries overnight.
Iran has not provided a total number of deaths or overall casualties, but has claimed dozens have been killed.
Iran’s health minister has said most of those injured and killed in Israeli strikes were civilians. According to comments carried by news agency IRNA, he said the majority were women and children.
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The chancellor said UK forces could “potentially” be used to help defend Israel.
The UK government is sending military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East.
While the prime minister would not confirm to reporters that UK forces could be used to defend Israel from future Iranian attacks, the chancellor told Sky News earlier that the government is “not ruling anything out”.
Speaking to Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Rachel Reeves said sending military assets to the Middle East “does not mean that we are at war”, and emphasised that “we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict”.
“But we do have important assets in the region,” she continued. “And it is right that we send jets to protect them. And that’s what we’ve done. It’s a precautionary move, and at the same time, we are urging de-escalation.”
Pushed on the question of what the UK would do if Israel asked for support with its operations, the chancellor replied: “I’m not going to rule anything out at this stage. It’s a fast-moving situation, a very volatile situation. But we don’t want to see escalation.”
A helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims has crashed in India, killing seven people on board.
The accident happened within minutes of the helicopter taking off, officials said, on what should have been a 10-minute flight.
The helicopter was flying to Guptkashi, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site in the Himalayas, from Kedarnath temple town in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
It comes three days after an Air India flight crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport in northwestern India, killing at least 270 people.
The helicopter, which was operated by private helicopter service Aryan Aviation, went down in a forested area several miles from the Kedarnath pilgrimage route at around 5.30am local time.
Officials said the crash was believed to have been caused by poor weather conditions.
Authorities say they have launched a search and rescue operation and are expected to review operational protocols for flights in the region.
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The dead include the pilot and pilgrims from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh and western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, according to officials. The bodies were badly burned in a fire that followed the crash, they said.
Image: Smoke and debris at the site. Pic: Reuters
Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit Kedarnath, which is home to one of the four most sacred Hindu temple shrines, each summer. Many use helicopter services due to the difficult mountainous terrain.
Helicopter mishaps are not uncommon in the region, where sudden weather changes and high-altitude flying conditions can pose risks.
Earlier this month, a helicopter operating in the Kedarnath Valley made an emergency landing shortly after taking off on a highway due to a technical fault. The pilot was injured but all five passengers on board were unharmed.
In May, a helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi district, killing six people, including the pilot. One person survived.
An Irish politician who was detained in Egypt trying to cross into Gaza says the police were violent towards the group after seizing his phone.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD (MP) Paul Murphy was part of a large demonstration attempting to march to the Rafah crossing in a bid to get aid into the region.
The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated on Friday before he was put on a bus to Cairo airport for deportation.
Footage of the seconds before his phone was seized shows authorities forcibly dragging protesters away from the sit-down demonstration.
Ireland’s deputy premier said several Irish citizens who were detained have now been released. Mr Murphy confirmed he was among the released protesters, posting a photo on his Facebook page saying he was back in Cairo and “meeting shortly to decide next steps”.
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In a message from Mr Murphy after he was detained, posted online by his social media team, he said: “I’m ok, but they still have my phone.
“Egyptian police say we’re going to airport but this isn’t the road we came on because there are 1000s of marchers on the streets. They’re taking us south past a lake, then west towards Cairo.
“Violence got worse after they seized my phone.
“One American woman in my group was badly kicked & beaten, and had her hijab torn off.”
Sky News has contacted Egypt’s police regarding Mr Murphy’s claims of violence towards the group.
Mr Murphy previously said other Irish citizen were among those who had been stopped from entering Gaza.
“The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation,” he added.
“And that this is a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.”
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Mr Murphy’s partner, Councillor Jess Spear, had previously appealed to Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister and deputy premier Simon Harris to make a public statement on Mr Murphy’s detention.
She expressed “relief” that the group had been released from detention.
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The deadly road to Gaza aid point
She said: “However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt.
“Paul has appealed to Tanaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel.”