Rafael Nadal Doesn't Miss Tennis: A Glimpse Into His Retirement Journey

Tennis icon Rafael Nadal, at 38, has made a definitive statement about life after his career, revealing that he does not miss playing tennis.

At the 2025 Laureus World Sport Awards held in Madrid, Nadal was honored with the prestigious Sporting Icon award. This event highlighted his monumental career, which saw the Spanish athlete secure an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles, with a record 14 victories at Roland Garros.

Having retired in November following his final match at the Davis Cup in Malaga, Nadal has now opened up about his feelings regarding his departure from the sport. Despite the tremendous success, Nadal admitted that he does not miss tennis, stating, “The truth is that I don’t miss tennis. Zero. I don’t miss it at all.”

He emphasized that this sentiment was not born out of any exhaustion or frustration with the sport. Rather, it was the natural end to a fulfilling career. “I finished my career happy, and if I could have, I would have continued, because I loved what I was doing,” Nadal added.

Tennis was more than just a career for Nadal; it was a lifelong passion. However, as the body ages, reality sets in. “It’s just that when you realize you physically can’t do it anymore… you try to close that chapter. And I closed it,” he concluded.

Nadal’s candid reflections on his retirement highlight the grace with which he transitioned from one of tennis’ greatest players to a figure enjoying the next phase of his life. His career will forever be remembered as one of resilience and unparalleled skill.

For more about Nadal’s legendary career and his award wins, check out this article on his career milestones.

BBC Sports on Rafael Nadal’s Career Milestones

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