Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal has retired. His professional career came to an after Spain’s defeat in the Davis Cup in Malaga on Nov. 19. He had previously announced that the Davis Cup would be his final tournament. To celebrate his illustrious career, Nike released a brand film narrated by Nike co-founder and Chairman Emeritus Phil Knight.
Nadal has been a Nike athlete since he was 13 years old, and his signature Raging Bull symbol has long mirrored his tennis greatness. As a Nike athlete, throughout his career, he has worked closely with the brand’s product teams to develop custom footwear and apparel, reflecting the evolution of his style and game.
Throughout his 23-year professional career, Nadal played more than 1,500 official matches. He won two Olympic gold medals and 22 Grand Slams, including a record 14 French Open titles. In 2021, a sculpture in his honor was revealed at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. He stood among the top ten tennis players in the world for more than 17 consecutive years, including more than four total years as the world’s No. 1.
In 2010, he launched the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which uses sports for a better world. In 2024, the Foundation was awarded the Laureus Sport for Good Award for its work using sports as a tool for social transformation. The Rafa Nadal Foundation is chaired by Rafael’s mother, Ana María Parera.
