Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has revealed that he feels no longing for the sport following his retirement, stating he has no regrets after closing the chapter on an illustrious career.
Nadal made the statement on Monday during the Laureus World Sports Awards held in Madrid, where he was honoured with a Sporting Icon award. The 38-year-old retired from professional tennis in November 2024, after playing his final match at the Davis Cup in Malaga.
“The truth is that I don’t miss tennis. Zero. I don’t miss it at all,” Nadal told reporters at the event.
Despite his unexpected candour, Nadal clarified that his lack of nostalgia for the sport doesn’t stem from bitterness or burnout.
“It’s not because I finished tired of tennis or fighting against tennis — not at all,” he explained. “I finished my career happy. If I could have, I would have carried on, because I loved what I was doing. It was my passion, and it’s been that way all my life.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who holds a record 14 titles at Roland Garros, said the decision to retire was a physical one rather than emotional.
“It’s just that when you realise that physically you can’t do it anymore… you try to close that chapter. And I closed it,” he added.
Nadal’s career is widely regarded as one of the greatest in tennis history. His legacy, particularly on clay courts, remains unmatched, and his retirement marks the end of a golden era in the sport.
