Rafael Nadal's legendary career coming to painful close after another withdrawal

The Spaniard's last two years have been filled with injuries and disappointment. If 2024 is his final season, it looks like he's going out with a whimper. That shouldn't take away from what has been a spectacular career, as Nadal's cemented himself as one of the best men's tennis players of all-time and the undisputed "King of Clay."

The 37-year-old not only holds the record for most French Open titles (14) but most clay court titles (63) during the Open Era as well.

Nadal previously held the record of most Grand Slam titles (22) before Novak Djokovic tied the mark in January 2023. The "Joker" passed "Rafa" with his 23rd Grand Slam singles crown last June at the French Open and earned his 24th championship in September at the U.S. Open.

Nadal's most recent Grand Slam finals victory came at the 2022 French Open.

He missed both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 2021 and had to withdraw early from Wimbledon in 2022. Nadal hasn't played at a major since the 2023 Australian Open, when he lost in straight sets in the second round.

During his 2023 French Open withdrawal announcement last May, Nadal said that he expected 2024 to be his final season.

Nadal's next chance to return for a major event will be at the 2024 French Open, which is scheduled for May 26-June 9.