Rafael Nadal Admits He Doesn’t Miss Tennis After Retirement: "I Finished Happy"

Rafael Nadal says he has no regrets after retirement, admitting he "misses tennis zero" because he left the sport feeling fulfilled. Read his full comments from the Laureus Awards in Madrid.

Rafael Nadal Makes Honest Admission About Tennis After Retirement: “I Miss It Zero”

Less than a year into retirement, Rafael Nadal has made it clear: he doesn't long for the court—and he has no regrets about stepping away from professional tennis.

Speaking during the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was candid when asked about how he's adjusting to life after tennis. The Spanish icon revealed that his transition has been smooth, largely because he feels at peace with how his career ended.

“The truth is I don’t miss it. In fact, I miss it zero,” Nadal told reporters.
“But I miss it zero not because I finished tired of tennis or fighting against tennis. Not at all, the complete opposite. I finished happy with tennis.”

Nadal, now 38, retired in October 2024 after a decorated career that included a record 14 French Open titles and intense rivalries with fellow legends Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Together, the trio known as "The Big Three" captured 66 Grand Slam singles titles. Only Djokovic remains active on tour.

Though injuries played a role in his decision to retire, Nadal emphasized that his departure came with a sense of fulfillment.

“It’s obviously a difficult decision, one that took me time to make,” he said at the time.
“But everything in life has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the right time to close a career that has been much more successful than I ever imagined.”

Despite saying he doesn’t miss playing, Nadal admitted that if his body had allowed it, he would still be on the court.

“If it had been possible, I would still be playing because I loved what I did,” he said on Monday.
“I was passionate about it. But when you realize you can’t do it anymore, you try to close that chapter—and I closed it.”

Nadal's comments underscore the rare clarity and gratitude with which he views his legendary journey—one that has left an indelible mark on the sport.