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 professional tennis journey.
Tennis news reporter for BBC Sport based in Malaga.
Rafael Nadal's remarkable career concluded during an emotional evening in Malaga, as Spain faced defeat against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup.
The legendary Spanish player Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, recently revealed that the upcoming men's team competition will mark the end of his professional career.
Before a large and enthusiastic audience, 38-year-old Nadal fell to Botic van de Zandschulp with scores of 6-4, 6-4, giving the Netherlands an early advantage in the best-of-three quarter-final matchup.
Carlos Alcaraz, now the top player for Spain, won against Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 in the second singles match. This victory keeps alive the possibility of Rafael Nadal making one more farewell appearance.
However, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the crucial doubles match, with scores of 7-6 (7-4) and 7-6 (7-3).
Nadal addressed the audience, saying, "I've had a professional career spanning two decades, during which you've supported me during the highs and motivated me to continue during the tough times."
"I'd like to extend my congratulations to the Netherlands and express my gratitude to the entire Spanish team present here. They've allowed me the opportunity to compete in the Davis Cup once more, though things didn't turn out as we had hoped. I gave it my all."
The reality is that reaching this stage is not something anyone desires. I'm not weary of playing tennis, but my body has reached a point where it can no longer keep up, and I have to come to terms with that. I feel incredibly fortunate to have turned my passion into a career for such a long time.
Nadal And Stars Bid Farewell Together
Nadal, who had been observing from the sidelines alongside the Spanish team, came onto the court to comfort Alcaraz and Granollers.
The two of them appeared downcast, with their heads lowered, as they listened to the triumphant Dutch players celebrating their advancement to the semi-finals.
A lot of fans remained in the 11,500-seat Palacio de Deportes arena, repeatedly shouting "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa" one last time while they waited for Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp to finish their interview after the match.
When it was time for Nadal to step into the spotlight, the audience burst into a standing ovation, applauding him for more than a minute.
Nadal's family was in the audience, including his wife Mery, their young son Rafael Jr., his parents Ana Maria and Sebastian, and his sister Maribel.
His longtime staff members donned T-shirts featuring the 'Raging Bull' logo, a nickname inspired by his unwavering determination and fighting spirit.
Once he concluded an emotional speech in Spanish, the main lights faded, and a spotlight focused on Nadal.
He gazed at the courtroom for a moment, biting his lip as he tried to hold back his tears.
The next segment of the festivities featured a video compilation showcasing memorable moments from the honoree's career, as well as heartfelt messages from famous athletes. This included tennis icons Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray, alongside football stars like David Beckham, Andres Iniesta, and Raul, as well as golfer Sergio Garcia.
A long round of cheering erupted before he exited the court, blowing kisses as he went, marking his last appearance as a professional athlete.
Nadal Gave His All In Final Match
There was some doubt about whether Nadal would play in the singles, 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 would stay focused and not let emotions get in the way as he sought to lead Spain to its sixth Davis Cup title during his career.
That was the idea. However, in reality, the moment overwhelmed Nadal just moments after he stepped onto the court to a roaring applause.
Nadal appeared to get emotional while the Spanish national anthem played. His right hand trembled noticeably.
As soon as the anthem concluded, he lifted his arm into the air and silently thanked the fans who were calling out his name.
"Naturally, it has been an emotional day, and I experienced some anxiety leading up to the match," Nadal expressed.
"I put in my best effort, aiming to have fun and approach things with the right mindset and positive energy."
It was clear that Nadal was not playing at his peak level.
Every now and then, he displayed some spark with his well-known forehand, but it didn't suffice to challenge his opponent.
In a tense environment where the crowd applauded every time Van de Zandschulp missed a first serve, the 29-year-old from the Netherlands deserves a lot of praise for maintaining his concentration and securing a crucial win.
"It’s challenging to finish a game against him, especially knowing it might be his final one," remarked Van de Zandschulp.
"I realized I was putting my hopes into something rather than just taking action. Once I decided to take the plunge, it turned out to be beneficial in the long run."
Nadal's Lasting Legacy In Tennis
Nadal steps away from the sport as the second-most accomplished male singles player in history regarding Grand Slam titles, trailing only his longtime competitor Novak Djokovic.
Often referred to as the 'King of Clay', Nadal has won the French Open singles championship an unprecedented 14 times, achieving victory in 112 out of 116 matches at Roland Garros.
No player has claimed as many Grand Slam singles championships at a single event.
Nadal has claimed the US Open title four times and has triumphed at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon on two occasions.
He secured gold medals in both singles and doubles at the Olympics and contributed to Spain's victory in four Davis Cup finals, including the latest one in 2019. He was also involved in their 2008 win, although an injury kept him from participating in the final match.
