Breaking news

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 11, 2024

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.”

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

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.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Tourism Recovery And Expansion: Larnaca Poised For New Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 6, 2026

Strong Momentum Ahead Under Cyprus EU Presidency

Larnaca celebrated its most successful tourism season in recent years and is gearing up to build on that success in the coming year. With the added advantage of Cyprus holding the EU Council Presidency during the first half of the year, industry leaders are confident that the city’s tourism performance will soar even higher.

Robust International Inflows and Market Shifts

Marios Polyviou, Chairman of PASYXE Larnaca, highlighted notable increases in visitor arrivals from Israel, Poland, and Germany, while growth from the United Kingdom remained more modest. “Early indicators for this year are positive, with progressive booking trends that suggest 2026 will also mark another successful tourism season,” Polyviou noted. His remarks underscore strong optimism within the local industry, laying the groundwork for a continued upward trajectory in visitor numbers.

Impressive December Performance and Strategic Outreach

Following the trend of recent years, December saw hotel occupancy rates climb to approximately 70%, a significant performance boost over 2024. The sustained uptick in demand was evident in the days leading up to the New Year, with both international and local tourists—particularly Cypriot visitors drawn by attractive hotel offers—bolstering occupancy figures. Leading markets include not only Germany and Israel but also the Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom.

International Promotions and Forthcoming Exhibitions

Local tourism authorities are currently focused on the international stage, preparing for participation in major tourism exhibitions. PASYXE and ETAP Larnaca will showcase Larnaca’s offerings at the upcoming Berlin exhibition, one of the largest alongside London’s event. This campaign will be further amplified through targeted social media outreach, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a top tourism destination.

Ambitious Hotel Developments Fueling Future Growth

Looking ahead to 2026, two significant hotel projects are set to transform Larnaca’s hospitality landscape. One is a boutique hotel in the heart of the city’s Agios Lazarou district, and the other is the luxurious Palm Beach development, valued at €100 million and scheduled for completion by October 2026. This mixed-use project will encompass a five-star hotel with 164 rooms, upscale ground-floor residences, a tower of apartments, diverse dining and entertainment facilities, a wellness center, modern conference spaces, and underground parking. The portfolio also includes the Waterfront Residence—a four-story building with 20 apartments—as well as the Seabreeze Tower, a ten-floor residential building behind the hotel, and The Beach House Residences featuring luxury villas.

Expanding Hospitality Offerings

According to data from the Larnaca Regional Administration Authority processed by ETAP Larnaca, an additional 27 tourism units, predominantly through the conversion of existing buildings, are expected in the coming years. When combined with the two new hotel projects, these developments will contribute nearly 900 additional beds to the region’s portfolio, reinforcing Larnaca’s position as a burgeoning tourism hotspot.