Rafael Nadal's Farewell: An Era of Tennis Dominance Ends

Rafael Nadal, the tennis legend, announced his retirement at age 38 after winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles. He shared his era with Federer and Djokovic, forming the Big Three. Persistent injuries influenced his decision to retire after the Davis Cup, marking the end of a remarkable career.

Rafael Nadal, one of tennis's most electrifying players, announced on Thursday his decision to retire at the age of 38. Having amassed 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Nadal's impending exit marks the end of an illustrious era shared with notable rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, together iconic as the Big Three of tennis.

Persistent injury struggles have led Nadal to this difficult decision, stating he hasn't been able to perform without physical limitations in recent years. Nadal's unmatched prowess on clay courts, including a record 14 French Open titles, has cemented his legacy as the "King of Clay."

Nadal will conclude his career at the upcoming Davis Cup finals in Spain, a fitting closure to his journey as it was also the scene of one of his earliest triumphs in 2004. As he steps away, Nadal reflects on his extraordinary career and the memorable rivalries that helped define it.

(With inputs from agencies.)