Rafael Nadal Has No Regrets About His Retirement: 'I Don't Miss Tennis'

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, one of the all-time great champions of the sport, has formally closed the book on his playing career. The 38-year-old, who won a record 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 at the French Open, played his last match at the Davis Cup in Malaga last November.

Now, months after retiring from the game, Nadal is enjoying retirement with no regrets.

Rafael Nadal Retirement: No Regrets, No Looking Back

Rafael Nadal Has No Regrets About His Retirement: 'I Don't

In a recent press conference reported by AFP (via France24), Nadal shocked fans with his candid opinion of life after tennis. "The truth is that I don't miss tennis. Zero. I don't miss it at all," he told reporters in no uncertain terms.

This wasn't the kind of declaration everyone had anticipated from a man whose drive and passion dominated a generation of tennis. But Nadal explained that his happiness isn't because he's bitter or burned out.

"But not because I finished tired of tennis or fighting against tennis, not at all," the Spaniard sportsman went on. "I finished my career happy, and if I could have, I would have carried on, because I loved what I was doing."

Nadal stressed that his retirement wasn't due to losing interest—it was due to physical constraints. Although tennis has a special place in his heart since it's his passion, he said that his physical body can't do it anymore. That's the time he realized it's time to close the chapter with his favorite sport.

Injuries Finally Took Their Toll

Throughout his career, Nadal was not only famous for his wins but for his toughness. He battled through chronic injuries, such as problems with his knees and feet, to be a leading competitor well into his 30s. But even for a fighter like Rafa, the physical wear and tear finally took its toll.

Instead, Nadal concluded when he reached the point of having nothing else to give physically, and that gave him inner peace.

Nadal concluded that his body won't heal back to the times when he could play smoothly. He explained that he did not miss tennis because it's clear in his conscience that his body couldn't give anymore.

In other news, Motociclismo reported that Carlos Alcaraz said that Nadal's influence is helpful in his career. The 21-year-old tennis player said he's happy to receive encouragement and unwavering support from the veteran.