‘We close the circle’: Rafa Nadal makes emotional exit after Davis Cup defeat

Rafael Nadal has stated that he feels he has "completed the journey" of his tennis career, which officially concluded during the Davis Cup in Málaga.

Nadal smiled after his singles match and said, “In a way, it might be nice if that was my final match. I lost my first game in the Davis Cup as well as my last, so it feels like I’ve come full circle.”

Nadal faced a smooth defeat, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp. This marked his very first singles loss in the Davis Cup in two decades, breaking a remarkable streak of 29 consecutive victories. In the early hours of Wednesday, the quarter-final match concluded with the Netherlands overcoming Spain 2-1, effectively signaling the end of Nadal's career.

Just before the match started, Nadal was visibly emotional as he and his teammates listened to the national anthem on the court. He collected himself as he prepared to compete. “It’s definitely been a day full of emotion,” Nadal shared. “That’s exactly how I felt. Hearing the national anthem for what might be the last time was really special. But having those mixed emotions also made things a bit more challenging.”

Nadal had to wait a bit to find out the outcome of his career as the match unfolded. Once Alcaraz equalized the score for Spain at 1-1 against the Netherlands with his 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp completed the tie by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers with a score of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).

Following the match, Nadal stayed on the court for a heartfelt ceremony where he spoke to the audience, expressing his gratitude to his family and everyone who had been there for him throughout his career. He became emotional as his fellow competitors, such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray, honored him with a tribute video celebrating his achievements.

"The reality is, reaching this stage is something you never hope for. I still love playing tennis, but my body is telling me it can’t keep going, and that’s something I have to come to terms with," Nadal expressed. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have turned my passion into my career for so long. I also think of my family and my team; they've been an unforgettable part of my journey all these years."

"I truly believe in the importance of maintaining connections and being near those who have positively impacted my life. These relationships have developed into something deeply personal, reaching well beyond just professional ties. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude; this journey wouldn't have been possible without your support."

When asked about how he wants to be remembered in tennis, Nadal replied, “I hope to be remembered as a good person from a small town in Mallorca. I had the life I lived and my uncle was a tennis coach in my village when I was young. I was just a kid chasing my dreams and putting in the effort to reach where I am now. Honestly, many people work hard and do their best every day, but I consider myself fortunate.”