Rafael Nadal, the iconic Spanish tennis player, announced on Thursday that he will retire following the Davis Cup finals in November, closing a remarkable chapter that includes 22 Grand Slam titles and a legacy defined by intense rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. “I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal shared in a heartfelt video on social media.

At 38 years old, the tennis great has spent two decades in the sport, amassing an impressive 92 titles and earning $135 million in prize money. Known as the “King of Clay,” Nadal dominated the French Open, securing 14 titles at Roland Garros. He won his first major just days after turning 19 in 2005 and claimed his latest title in 2022, making history as the tournament’s oldest champion.

Nadal’s exceptional record at the French Open stands out with only three losses in 115 matches on its iconic clay surface. He also triumphed at the US Open four times and won the Australian Open twice, with his first victory in 2009 and his second 13 years later. Furthermore, he celebrated Wimbledon victories in 2008 and 2010, showcasing his versatility on grass—a surface often seen as challenging for his playing style.

His epic five-set match against Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final is often hailed as one of the greatest in tennis history. In addition to his Grand Slam success, Nadal earned a career Golden Slam by winning Olympic gold in 2008 and captured five Davis Cup titles.

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Nadal achieved the world number one ranking five times and maintained a spot in the top ten from 2005 until March of this year. Over his illustrious career, he held the number one position for a total of 209 weeks and won at least one title every year between 2004 and 2022.

His storied rivalry with Federer, who retired last year, saw Nadal hold a 24-16 advantage. He also surpassed Federer’s previous record of 20 Grand Slam titles last year in Australia. Nadal and Djokovic, the all-time leader with 24 majors, have faced off 60 times, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head record by two matches.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Nadal’s career has been marred by injuries stemming from his aggressive playing style. He has dealt with ankle, wrist, knee, elbow, and abdominal issues, which led to missing 16 Grand Slam tournaments and withdrawing during five events. At the 2022 French Open, Nadal revealed that his title pursuit was only possible through daily painkillers, and he later underwent a medical procedure to manage pain in his foot.

Recent injuries continued to challenge him, including an abdominal strain that sidelined him from Wimbledon after reaching the semifinals. A hip injury at the Australian Open in January marked his earliest Grand Slam exit in seven years, leaving his wife Mery in tears as she witnessed his struggle.

Reflecting on the end of an era, Nadal felt the weight of retirement during the Laver Cup two years ago while partnering with Federer in his final tournament. With Federer unable to overcome a knee injury and retiring at 41, the two shared a poignant moment, acknowledging the end of their shared journey in tennis. “When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too,” Nadal expressed, highlighting the deep bond between the two legends.