Breaking news

Rafael Nadal retires from tennis at the end of the 2024 season

The Spanish legend will end his professional career at the Davis Cup final, reports ATP.

KEY FACTS

  • Rafael Nadal announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024 season on social network X. “Hello everyone, I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal said in Spanish in the video.
  • The 38-year-old Spaniard will participate in his last. professional Davis Cup finals tournament in Malaga from November 19 to 24.
  • Rafael Nadal is a 92-time tour-level champion, and spent 209 weeks at No. 1 in the PIF ATP rankings.
  • He is a 22-time winner of Grand Slam titles, which includes a record 14 Roland Garros crowns.

KEY QUOTE

“Obviously this is a difficult decision and it took me a while to make it, but in this life, everything has a beginning and an end and I think the time is right to end a career that has been long and far more successful than I could have imagined.”

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Nadal will end his storied career on home soil in Malaga, where he will be part of Spain’s Davis Cup squad, which also includes Carlos Alcaraz. The host nation play their quarter-final match against the Netherlands on Tuesday 19 November at 17:00 local time. “I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and the presentation of my country,” said the tennis player.

“I think I’ve come full circle because one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004. I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience.” Nadal, who is 12-7 so far in 2024, went on to thank his ATP Tour rivals, his team and his family (including his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal). Although his body has rarely allowed him to compete at full fitness over the past two seasons, the Spaniard’s characteristic dedication to the sport has not waned. He attributes part of his desire to continue playing for so long to the advent of his son, Rafael. “Coming home and seeing my son grow every day was the force that really kept me alive and with the energy to continue,” says the Spaniard.

SPANISH LEGEND

Rafael Nadal is extremely popular among fans all over the world. His powerful left-footed strokes, combined with his almost unrivaled desire to compete and his role as part of the ‘Big Three’ alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, mean that he will end his career as one of the greatest icons of tennis.

“Finally, you the fans – I can’t thank you enough for what you made me feel,” Nadal said at the end of the video. “You gave me the energy I needed at every moment. Really everything I experienced was a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind that I have given my best and that I have made an effort in every way. I can only end with a thousand thanks to everyone and see you soon.”

FORBES ESTIMATES

According to our estimates, Nadal is the sixth highest-paid tennis star in 2024 with an income of $23.3 million. About $23 million of that amount is off-court income from various endorsement deals, as injuries kept him out of most major tournaments this past year. The exception is the French Open, where he lost in the first round to Alexander Zverev.

European Bank Executives Earn Up To €2.2M As Pay Rises Across Cyprus And Greece

The landscape of executive compensation in European banking is undergoing significant scrutiny, particularly as Cyprus and Greece reveal competitive salary packages that rival those in larger, more competitive markets across the continent.

Executive Compensation In Cyprus And Greece

According to data from the European Banking Authority, two bankers in Cyprus earned over €1.5 million in 2024. The Cypriot banking sector, dominated by Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank Ltd (with Alpha Bank Cyprus in a close third), reported an average total compensation of €1,610,716 per executive. In Greece, 25 banking executives receive annual remunerations exceeding €1 million, with an average total compensation per executive of €1,675,905. Investment banking roles in Greece similarly reflect robust pay scales, with six executives earning an average of €1,562,160.

Comparative European Analysis

Across other major European financial systems, the compensation figures remain equally compelling. Data reveals that:

  • Germany employs 553 high-earning banking executives across both credit institutions and investment firms, with an average compensation of €1,748,819.
  • In France, 561 executives receive an average total remuneration of €1,810,772.
  • Italy’s 462 high-earning executives average €1,780,428 in annual pay.
  • Spain reports 251 banking executives with salaries above the million-euro mark and an elevated average of €2,195,830.
  • Luxembourg and the Netherlands host a smaller group of highly paid professionals, with Luxembourg’s 42 executives earning an average of €1,493,378 and the Netherlands’ 58 executives averaging €1,517,781.

Profitability Driving Compensation

Higher executive pay is closely linked to strong profitability across the sector. According to the European Banking Authority, key drivers include increased net interest income, favorable rate conditions, rising merger and acquisition activity, and intensified competition for senior talent.

Gender Imbalance And Compensation Structures

Despite rising pay levels, gender disparities remain pronounced. Men account for 89.1% of high-earning roles in credit institutions and 96.9% in investment firms. Compensation structures are also shifting, with variable pay reaching 98% of fixed compensation in credit institutions and 359% in investment firms. Regulatory caps on bonuses no longer apply to investment companies following changes introduced in 2021.

Conclusion

Compensation trends reflect strong sector performance but also highlight structural challenges. Addressing gender imbalance and refining pay structures will remain key considerations as European banks compete for talent and adapt to evolving market conditions.

Uol
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm
eCredo

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter