Rafael Nadal's sister Maribel reacts to tennis legend announcing 2024 retirement and final tournament

Rafael Nadal’s sister Maribel showed her support after the Spaniard announced his decision to retire from tennis in 2024. The Spaniard shared a heartfelt video message conveying the news, where he expressed his gratitude to his family and fans, acknowledged his rivals, and celebrated his legendary achievements.

Nadal, who’d been hinting at drawing the curtain on his career since 2023 amid his unceasing injury concerns, announced his impending retirement on Thursday, October 10. The Spaniard revealed the upcoming Davis Cup Finals (19-24 November) as his last dance.

"In this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined," Rafael Nadal said in the video (translated from Spanish).

"I feel super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. I want to thank the entire tennis industry, all the people involved in this sport, my longtime colleagues, especially my great rivals," he added.

Nadal’s sister Maribel, who’s had his back throughout his career, reacted to the emotional announcement with heart emojis.

Rafael Nadal's sister Maribel on Instagram

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"My family is everything to me" – Rafael Nadal's heartwarming message to his loved ones, including sister Maribel, amid retirement news

The Spaniard's family pictured at the 2024 Barcelona Open - Image Source: Getty

Rafael Nadal’s family, including his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, his sister, Maribel, and his parents, Sebastian and Ana Maria, have been a constant presence in his player’s box throughout his career. His uncle, Toni, too, has played a pivotal role as his coach.

In 2024, the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s two-year-old son stole the limelight by adorably cheering him on from the sidelines.

Acknowledging his family’s support, Nadal said:

"My family is everything to me. My mother, I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we could always have everything. My wife, Mery – we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of career," he said in the aforementioned video.

"To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue. My sister, I think we have always had an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. And my father, who I believe, has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word. I think he has been an example of effort," the Spaniard continued.

Rafael Nadal played a limited schedule this season, competing at just seven events, including the French Open, where he has been the 14-time champion. The Spaniard lost in the opening round to eventual finalist Alexander Zverev but returned to Stade Roland Garros for the Paris Olympics in July, which was his most recent on-court appearance.

At the event, he partnered his younger compatriot Carlos Alcaraz for men’s doubles, making it as far as the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, in singles, the 38-year-old lost to his arch-rival Novak Djokovic in the second round.

The Spaniard is next expected to compete at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh (October 16-19), which features Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, and Alcaraz. Following that, he will bid adieu to tennis, representing Spain alongside Alcaraz yet again at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain.