Surfing legend Kelly Slater, 52, gives a huge hint about when he will finally retire – and reveals why part of a CORPSE is holding his body together

Surfing legend Kelly Slater has confirmed he is set to retire, saying he will end his unprecedented career ‘fairly soon’.

The eleven-time world champion is not only the most decorated surfer, but at the age of 52 he is also one of the biggest stories in world sport.

Despite nursing an injured hip that required major surgery – and the help of a dead man – last September, the American remains one of the men to beat in the World Surf League.

That was proven again on Tuesday morning when Slater won his opening round in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, defeating Hawaiian star John John Florence.

Thirty years after winning the first of his four titles at Bells, Slater said Tuesday that this is most likely the last time he will compete in the iconic event.

Slater, 52, won his opening round in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach on Tuesday (pictured), beating Hawaiian star John John Florence

Australians Mick Fanning and Mark Richards are the only other men to have won four Bells Beach titles.

“I haven’t made an announcement yet, but I’m going to wrap this thing (career) up soon,” Slater said after his heat win.

“So I’m just trying to enjoy everyone where I am right now.”

Slater said he would reconsider his retirement if he wins a fifth Rip Curl Pro title – or the next event on the circuit, at Margaret River in Western Australia.

‘They’re probably my last Bells, not 100 percent. “I mean, if I win this one or Margaret’s, I’ll earn my way back on the WSL tour next year,” he said.

‘But other than that, I’m fine if it’s my last, thirty years since I won my first one, it would be a nice bookend.

“Bells isn’t one of my favorite waves, but when I come here it’s one of my favorite events – just the experience.

“It will be a little bittersweet if I don’t come back for the event.”

Slater will also soon become a father for the second time, with his partner Kalani Miller (pictured) who is due to give birth later this year

Incredibly, Slater won his first title at Victoria’s iconic Bells Beach 30 years ago in 1994

Slater missed the most recent world tour round in Portugal due to injury and took his first heat win of the season on Tuesday.

He is also expecting his second child, with Slater and his partner Kalani Miller making the announcement a few days ago.

His son Taylor, from a previous relationship, is 28.

“The important things in life change very quickly when you have a child, but the heat made me a little more stressed than I wanted,” he said of Tuesday morning’s victory.

Slater’s latest operation on his long-standing hip problem lasted more than four hours – and involved a body part from a corpse.

“Who made the ultimate sacrifice for me?” Slater said when asked about his reaction when he found out what the operation would entail.

‘I can surf, so I’m happy, but I don’t surf (without) pain. Adrenaline helps.’

As he ponders a possible swan song at Bells Beach, Slater spoke of his mixed feelings about the Victoria location.

‘It feels good to be back. “It would be a real dream for me to try to win here again 30 years later,” he said.

“But for now I’m just trying to enjoy the event, enjoy the people…the good atmosphere down here.

Slater also uses a dead man’s body part to hold his hip together (photo, competing at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti)

‘If you look at my results (on tour), you will see that it is love-hate.

‘We fought a lot, but sometimes we get along well. It’s a feel-good story when you win here because it’s such a challenging wave.”

Surfing’s most decorated star won his heat in conditions ranging from four feet to six feet.

Florence joined Slater to advance, while Hawaii’s Seth Moniz also entered the elimination round.

The most recent of Slater’s record 56 tour victories came in Hawaii in early 2022.

Meanwhile, defending Australian champion Ethan Ewing won his heat in the opening round, as did compatriot Jack Robinson.