“I Don’t Miss Tennis at All” — Rafael Nadal Bows Out with Peace, Not Regret
After decades of thrilling fans around the world with his fierce competitiveness and unshakable grit, Rafael Nadal says he’s walking away from tennis with zero regrets—and surprisingly, no longing for a comeback.
At the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, where he was celebrated as a Sporting Icon, the 38-year-old tennis legend revealed that he’s completely at peace with life beyond the court.
“The truth is that I don’t miss tennis. Zero. I don’t miss it at all,” Nadal said with calm finality.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, officially played his last match at the Davis Cup in Malaga last November. Though fans hoped for a fairy-tale return, Nadal made it clear that chapter is now closed.
A Graceful Goodbye, Not a Bitter Exit
Nadal explained that his retirement wasn’t driven by frustration or burnout, but by his body simply reaching its limit.
“I didn’t stop because I was tired of the game or angry at it. Far from it. I would’ve loved to keep going—but physically, I couldn’t. So I made peace with it.”
Having battled injuries for years, the Spanish icon said he gave himself time to reflect before finally letting go of professional play.
“I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering ‘what if.’ I waited until I was sure. When I realized my body wasn’t going to bounce back to the level I needed to truly enjoy competing, that’s when I knew it was time.”
Peace Over Nostalgia
For Nadal, peace came not in trying to rewrite the ending, but in accepting it with pride.
“That’s why I don’t miss it—because I know I gave it everything I had. There’s nothing left undone, and my body just couldn’t give more.”
A Legacy Cemented
With 14 Roland Garros titles, countless epic matches, and a legacy built on humility and hustle, Nadal leaves behind one of the most respected careers in tennis history.
Though he may no longer chase trophies, Rafael Nadal continues to inspire millions—not just for what he did on the court, but for how gracefully he’s stepping away from it.
