Rafael Nadal to retire, ending 23-year tennis career

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis, set to conclude his remarkable 23-year career next month. The 38-year-old Spanish champion, who turned pro at age 15 in 2001, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of 22 grand slam titles and 92 professional tournament victories.

Throughout his career, Nadal has accumulated nearly $135 million in prize money according to ATP Tour statistics, achieving an impressive record of 1,080 wins against 227 losses. Even in 2024, despite being affected by injuries, he has earned $301,661 in prize money.

Forbes ranks Nadal as the sixth-highest-paid tennis player in 2024, with total earnings of $23.3 million, including $20 million from off-court activities. His extensive sponsorship portfolio includes a 20-year partnership with Kia, collaborations with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, and a recent brand ambassadorship with IT company Infosys.

The Spanish star has maintained a long-standing relationship with Nike throughout his career, with reports suggesting bonuses of approximately $10 million during his world number-one ranking years, though the exact value of this partnership remains undisclosed.

Recent collaborations include a "Core Values" campaign with Roger Federer for Louis Vuitton and an ambassadorial role with the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation, reportedly worth seven figures annually, despite controversy surrounding the country's human rights record.

As one of tennis's most prominent figures, Nadal commands appearance fees exceeding $1 million per event, significantly contributing to his earnings beyond tournament prize money. His ability to secure lucrative sponsorship deals and maintain high-value partnerships has established him not only as a sporting legend but also as a powerful brand ambassador in the world of professional tennis.