Rafael Nadal: Retiring superstar's career over after Spain lose to the Netherlands at Davis Cup
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Last month, Rafael Nadal revealed that the Davis Cup would mark the end of his 23-year journey in professional tennis.
Tennis news reporter for BBC Sport based in Malaga.
Rafael Nadal's remarkable career concluded with Spain's defeat to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup during a poignant evening in Malaga.
The legendary Spanish tennis player Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has recently declared that the upcoming men's team event will mark the end of his professional career.
In front of a crowded audience full of supporters, the 38-year-old Nadal was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-4, 6-4, giving the Netherlands an early advantage in the best-of-three quarter-final match.
Carlos Alcaraz, now Spain's top player, secured a victory against Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 in the second singles match, keeping the possibility of Nadal making another farewell appearance alive.
However, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the final doubles match, with scores of 7-6 (7-4) and 7-6 (7-3).
"Over the past 20 years of my career, you've supported me during the highs and encouraged me to continue during the lows," Nadal expressed to the audience.
"I'd like to extend my congratulations to the Netherlands and express my gratitude to the entire Spanish team present here. They have given me the opportunity to compete in the Davis Cup again, although it didn't turn out as we had hoped. I truly gave it my all."
The reality is that reaching this stage is something you want to avoid. I'm not weary of playing tennis, but my body is telling me it's time to stop, and that's something I have to come to terms with. I feel incredibly lucky; I've had the chance to turn my passion into my career for quite a while now.
Nadal, Stars, And Fans Bid Farewell Together
Nadal, who had been sitting on the sidelines with the other members of the Spanish team, rushed onto the court to comfort Alcaraz and Granollers.
They appeared downcast as they sat with their heads lowered, listening to the jubilant Dutch players celebrating their advancement to the semi-finals.
A large crowd remained in the 11,500-seat Palacio de Deportes arena, cheering "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa" one last time while they awaited Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp to finish a post-match interview.
When it was time for Nadal to shine, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation, applauding him for more than a minute.
Nadal's family was there in the audience, including his wife Mery, their young son Rafael Jr., his parents Ana Maria and Sebastian, and his sister Maribel.
Longtime members of his support team donned T-shirts featuring the 'Raging Bull' logo, a nickname inspired by his relentless fighting spirit.
After delivering an emotional speech in Spanish, the main lights faded, and a spotlight focused on Nadal.
He glanced at the courtroom for a moment, biting his lip as he struggled to hold back his tears.
The following segment of the festivities featured a video compilation showcasing significant moments from various careers, along with heartfelt messages from renowned athletes. Among those who contributed were tennis icons Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray, as well as soccer stars David Beckham, Andres Iniesta, and Raul. Golf sensation Sergio Garcia also shared in the tribute.
A lengthy round of applause erupted as he made his way off the court, blowing kisses one last time as he stepped away from the game as a professional.
Nadal Gave His All In Final Match
It was unclear whether Nadal would compete in the singles events, but Spain's captain, David Ferrer, chose him for the team, even though he hadn’t participated in a competitive match for more than three months.
During his press conference before the tournament, Nadal emphasized that he wouldn't let his feelings get in the way as he sought to lead Spain to its sixth Davis Cup victory in his career.
That was the idea. However, in reality, Nadal felt the impact of the moment almost immediately after stepping out to a roaring crowd.
Nadal was clearly emotional as he listened to the Spanish national anthem, and his right hand trembled noticeably.
As soon as the anthem ended, he lifted his arm high and silently said "Thank you" to the fans who were cheering for him.
"Naturally, it was a day filled with emotions, and I experienced some anxiety leading up to the match," Nadal remarked.
"I gave it my all, aiming to have fun and engage with the right mindset and positive vibes."
It was clear that Nadal wasn't playing at his usual level.
At times, he displayed some spark with his well-known forehand, but it wasn’t sufficient to challenge his rival.
In a tense environment where the crowd celebrated Van de Zandschulp's faults on his first serves, the 29-year-old Dutch player deserves plenty of recognition for maintaining his concentration and securing a crucial win.
"It's difficult to finish a match against him, especially since it might be his final one," Van de Zandschulp stated.
"I realized I was leaning more towards wishing for something rather than actually pursuing it. Once I took the plunge and went for it, it turned out to be beneficial in the end."
The Legacy Of Nadal's Greatness
Nadal steps away from the sport as the second-most accomplished men's singles player in history when it comes to Grand Slam wins, with only his longtime competitor Novak Djokovic ahead of him.
Revered as the 'King of Clay', Nadal secured the French Open singles championship an incredible 14 times, achieving victory in 112 out of 116 major matches held at Roland Garros.
No athlete has claimed as many Grand Slam singles championships at a single event.
Nadal has claimed victory at the US Open four times and has also triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon on two occasions each.
He secured gold medals in both singles and doubles at the Olympics and contributed to Spain's victory in four Davis Cup finals, with the latest being in 2019. He was also involved in their 2008 success, although an injury kept him from participating in the final match.
