Rafael Nadal's earnings from tennis revealed after icon confirms retirement in emotional video

Rafael Nadal tennis

Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis after a glittering career that has seen him win 22 Grand Slam titles

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 10/10/2024

- 11:29

The 38-year-old will play one last tournament before hanging up his racket

Rafael Nadal has announced he is retiring from tennis, with the 38-year-old set to take part in one last tournament before walking off into the sunset.

The Spaniard, who has won 22 Grand Slams throughout his career, confirmed the news in an emotional video uploaded to his social media account.


To many, it is the end of an era.

Novak Djokovic is now the sole member of the famous 'big four' left playing, with Andy Murray quitting tennis earlier this year and Roger Federer walking away from the sport in 2022.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis after a glittering career that has seen him win 22 Grand Slam titles

PA

Nadal, however, knows it is the right time to walk away.

His body has, for so long, been put through the wringer. Years of playing at the very top have taken a toll and, at the age of 38, he simply can't go on.

But Nadal won't have any regrets about his career. As of August, he had won a nearly $135million (£103m) in prize money over the years.

That has helped him build a staggering net worth of around $225 million (£172m) over the years, with sponsorship deals also adding to that total.

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Nadal turned pro all the way back in 2001 and, just four years later, was a Grand Slam champion.

He won his first French Open title in 2005, with the Spaniard crushing Mariano Puerta in the final of the competition that year.

Nadal would go on to win 13 more majors at Roland Garros, with his total of 14 a record that is likely to stand for many, many years to come.

For years, his rivalry with Federer enchanted the world.

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It looked as though Nadal was always destined to miss out on Wimbledon glory to his rival after he lost finals in 2006 and 2007.

In 2008, however, the two men played out a match widely considered to be the best in tennis history.

Nadal was able to win a gruelling five-set showdown 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7, ending Federer's dominance at the All England Club in the process.

His second Wimbledon crown would come in 2010, with Nadal too strong for Tomas Berdych on that occasion.

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Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer to win Wimbledon back in 2008

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In addition to his Grand Slam triumphs at Wimbledon and the French Open, he's also won two Australian Open titles.

His first came in January 2009 when he bested Federer, reducing the Swiss to tears in the aftermath of their epic showdown.

Nadal's second was in 2022, when he bested Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to secure glory.

When it comes to the US Open, the veteran has won four titles in New York.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal celebrates achieving the career Grand Slam after beating Novak Djokovic to win the US Open back in 2010

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In September 2010, he achieved a career Grand Slam by beating Novak Djokovic.

He would also claim titles in New York in 2013, 2017 and 2019 as well.

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