'My Body Wasn't Going To Recover'-Rafael Nadal Clarifies Retirement Decision

In typical Nadal fashion, the 22-time Grand Slam champion responded with thoughtfulness and clarity. “What I would have struggled with the most would have been sitting at home on the sofa thinking I should be out there still trying to compete,” he explained. “So, what I did was give myself the necessary time to understand whether I could still compete at the level that motivated me.”

Nadal described a period of honest self-reflection during which he tried to assess his physical capacity and emotional readiness to return to the demanding world of professional tennis. “When I realized that my body wasn’t going to recover enough for me to continue enjoying the sport in the way I need to—that’s when I made the decision to stop,” he said. “That’s why I don’t miss it. Because I stopped with the peace of mind that I had given absolutely everything, and that my body simply couldn’t give any more.”

Though he may no longer be competing, Nadal's connection to the sport remains strong. “That said, I still follow tennis,” he shared. “I don’t watch an enormous number of matches, but I follow the results every week and watch the ones that interest me. And I continue following the world of sport in general because I’m passionate about it.”

Nadal’s grace in retirement reflects the same humility and strength that defined his career. While fans may miss seeing him on the court, his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans alike. The Sporting Icon Award is yet another testament to a career defined not just by victories, but by integrity, resilience, and unwavering fighting spirit.