Rafael Nadal has ruled out a return to professional tennis, following his retirement in November 2024. The 40-year-old tennis star said he's moved on to the next chapter of his life.
What happened?
Rafael Nadal told CNBC Sport that he won't be following Serena Williams back to professional tennis, after she announced her comeback at the age of 44.
Why it matters for Rafael Nadal
Nadal's decision comes after a series of injuries forced him to retire from tennis in 2024, and he's now focused on his tennis academy and charitable foundation.
The Rafael Nadal Academy, which he helped open on the island of Mallorca, Spain, is expanding throughout Europe and the U.S. Nadal is also growing his charitable foundation, which has focused on sports and education projects in Spain and India.
What comes next?
Nadal wouldn't rule out coaching in the future, but said it's not in his near-term plans. He's currently promoting his new documentary, "Rafa," which debuted on Netflix on May 29.
Nadal's idiosyncrasies on the court, such as lining up water bottles and touching his shirt and headband before serving, have not followed him into retirement. He's proud of his tennis career, which included 22 Grand Slam wins.
Nadal has previously said that Novak Djokovic, who holds the all-time men's record with 24 Grand Slam championships, is the greatest player of all time. He believes that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the current top stars, have a chance to become the new greatest ever if they stay healthy.
On May 29, Nadal's documentary "Rafa" debuted on Netflix, giving fans a glimpse into his life and career. Nadal is focused on building his next career, and is excited to see what the future holds.
The tennis world will be watching to see what's next for Rafael Nadal, but for now, he's happy to be out of the spotlight and focused on his new ventures. Nadal's legacy continues to inspire new generations of tennis players, and his impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.
Nadal's decision to rule out a return to professional tennis is a significant one, and marks the end of an era for one of the greatest tennis players of all time. As he looks to the future, Nadal is excited to see what's next, and is proud of what he's accomplished so far.