Rafael Nadal has announced he will retire after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending a career which brought 22 Grand Slam titles, global respect and inspired epic, iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal said in a video on social media that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially.

The 38-year-old Spaniard is set to end his two decades as a professional with 92 titles and prize money alone of 135 million dollars, his status long since secured as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Nadal has been included alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the Spain team as he bids to sign off with a fifth Davis Cup triumph in Malaga next month.