Rafael Nadal announces retirement from tennis

Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis, Sky News reports.

The 38-year-old, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, announced the news in a video message posted on X.

"Hello everyone. I'm here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis," the Spaniard said.

"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don't think I have been able to play without limitations." he said.

"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.

"But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.

"And I think 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 achieved a series of incredible records on clay but was an all-time great on all surfaces.

But the 14-time French Open winner, who also boasts four US Open titles and won Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, has struggled with various injuries over the last few years.

He admitted in May last year he was staring at the end of his career and that he hoped to be able to play a final year on tour in 2024.

Nadal also announced his final match will be for Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, in what will be an emotional end to an illustrious career.