The conclusion of an era has arrived. Rafael Nadal — one of the most remarkable tennis players ever — has chosen to retire after spending over two decades on the professional circuit.

The 38-year-old Spaniard shared the poignant news through a video on Instagram, informing his 21.7 million followers that the forthcoming Davis Cup will mark his final appearance. He accompanied the video with a caption saying “Many thanks to all” in 12 different languages.

“I am retiring from professional tennis,” he began.

“The truth is that the past few years have been challenging, particularly the last two. I don’t believe I’ve been able to play without constraints.”

Rafa conveyed that the decision was difficult and required a long time to reach.

“In this life, everything begins and ends, and I believe it’s the right moment to conclude a career that has been longer and far more successful than I could have ever envisioned,” he continued.

“However, I am thrilled that my final tournament will be the Davis Cup, representing my country. I feel I've come full circle since one of my earliest triumphs as a professional tennis player was the final in Sevilla in 2004.”

The champion expressed his gratitude for his years on the court, thanking his family, rivals, team, coaches, and fans who supported him along the journey.

The man, the myth, the legend. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Following the King of Clay’s announcement, other tennis legends — including his two rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic — have offered tributes to this sporting icon.

Federer took to Instagram to post a photo of them both in tears after he announced his own retirement in 2022.

“What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come,” wrote Federer.

“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour.”

On X (formerly Twitter), Djokovic shared two heartfelt posts, expressing gratitude to Nadal for his impact on tennis and for “pushing me to the very limit so many times.”

In recent years, Rafa’s career has been plagued by injuries. During the 2023 Australian Open, he suffered a hip injury, causing him to miss the French Open and eventually undergo surgery. In his final two seasons, he only competed in 23 matches as a consequence.

Throughout his illustrious career, Rafa secured an impressive 22 Grand Slam singles titles and claimed 14 French Open titles. He earned a gold medal at the Olympics in 2008 and won the Australian Open twice. Truly remarkable.

Rafa, we’ll miss you on the court.