Rafa Nadal announces when he will retire: I'm going to stop playing and next year will be my last

The last time Rafael Nadal appeared before the media was on January 18, minutes after losing in the second round of the Australian Open to American Mackenzie McDonald.

A day later he confirmed a grade two injury in the psoas iliacus (the strongest hip flexor) of his left leg. The medical report was that he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks. The injury is now indefinite.

?”I will not be able to be at Roland Garros after many years without missing the event. It’s a decision my body has made for me,” Nadal said, taking a long run up at announcing that his playing days were coming to their end. “I need to put a stop to my sporting career and regenerate my body.

“My idea is to retire next year and play and enjoy the most important tournaments of my career. It could be a goal to reach the Davis Cup finals at the end of the year.

“I’m not going to set a return date. I’ll come back when I feel ready to start again.”