Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is to retire from the sport after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals.

The 38-year-old star won 22 Grand Slams across a storied career, including a remarkable 14 French Opens on clay, leading commentators to dub him ‘The King of Clay.’ He has also won 36 Masters event and an Olympic Gold, and was considered one of the ‘Big Three, alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during a golden age for the sport that has lasted two decades.

Nadal announced his retirement through a social media post today, noting his recent injuries that have significantly reduced his playing time had in part led to the decision.

After taking a deep breath, Nadal looks into the camera and says in Spanish: “Hello everyone. I am here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that there has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.”

He noted that is had been a “difficult” decision that he considered for some time. “It’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.

He will end his career after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals next month in Malaga.

Nadal burst on to the tennis scene aged 18, winning the French Open and went on to a multiple Grand Slam winner and world number one. His rivalries with Federer and Djovokic have come to define the game in the 21st century.

Federer sent a message, writing: “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honour.”

A four-episode Prime Video series about Nadal’s world-famous tennis academy dropped globally in December last year.