Rafael Nadal flooded with emotional messages from fans after tennis legend confirms retirement

And Nadal, taking to social media, has now confirmed that his time is up.

He will play in one more tournament, the Davis Cup in Spain, which is due to take place next month.

And tennis fans have been left crushed by the news, with one user writing: "A sporting legend. What a player.

"I will never forget the 2008 Wimbledon final for as long as I live. Sport at its very, very best.

"Thank you Rafa."

A second wrote: "Thank you. A Champion tennis player and a Champion man."

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A third said: "So sad to see you retiring. You have been a true champion and a hero to me.

"You have done everything with grace and sportsmanship, great tenacity and so much flair.

"No more vamos but many happy memories, particularly your classic & epic Wimbledon final with Roger [in 2008]."

Another said: Muchas Gracias Rafa! One of the greatest competitors of all time in sport!

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"Forever a true legend and inspiration for all! Take care of you."

A fifth reacted to the news by saying: "Happy retirement legend. The player who made me fall in love with tennis. Gracias Rafa."

And a sixth said: "Thanks for everything Rafa!

"The greatest legend in the history of tennis."

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Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024

Nadal won a staggering 22 Grand Slam titles throughout his career, with only Novak Djokovic claiming more.

He won his first major at the French Open back in 2005, overcoming Mariano Puerta to get the ball rolling.

Nadal would go on to establish himself as a legend at Roland Garros, claiming French Open glory a stunning 13 more times to write his name into the history books.

But he was far from a one-surface man, as his stats in other Grand Slams show.

Nadal famously beat Roger Federer to win his first Wimbledon title in 2008 before then securing glory in the same tournament two years later.

He won two Australian Open crowns in 2009 and 2022.

And Nadal also conquered the US Open on four occasions, with his victory in 2010 followed up by triumphs in 2013, 2017 and 2019.

The 38-year-old also won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, too.