The legendary career of tennis player Rafael Nadal comes to an end with a defeat in the Davis Cup from the Spanish city of Malaga.
The Manacorí played the last game of his career in the quarterfinals, losing against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Shortly after, the Dutch squad would win the doubles match, thus eliminating Spain from the tournament.
The now 38-year-old former player’s record in Davis Cup singles is 29 wins and two losses.
The second of his entire long career dates back to 2004.
After the match, a ceremony was held for Nadal’s retirement.
The legendary career of tennis player Rafael Nadal comes to an end with a defeat in the Davis Cup from the Spanish city of Malaga.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, RAFA ❤️💛#DavisCup I @RFETenis @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/sKdclDbx7U
— Davis Cup (@CopaDavis) November 19, 2024
The Spanish tennis player retires with 92 individual titles, 22 of them in Grand Slam tournaments and two Olympic gold medals.
And it was during the post-match ceremony on the court, in honor of Nadal, when he cried and cried, before the chorus of “Raaa-faaa” from the spectators, before the video that showed the best moments of his more than two decades in the circuit and before the collection of recorded tributes from current or former players, such as his three great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Conchita Martínez and Andy Murray, and stars from other sports such as golfer Sergio García or the footballer David Beckham.
“The titles, the numbers are there, people probably know that, but how I want to be remembered is as a good person from a small town in Mallorca who was lucky enough to have an uncle who was a coach when he was very little,” he said. the 38-year-old athlete, while the crowd waved flags and continued singing at the José María Martín Carpena Sports Palace.
“I have had a great family that has supported me at every moment. Just a child who followed his dreams, worked as hard as possible to be here. In the end many people work, many try every day, but I am one of those “I have been lucky and life has given me the opportunity to experience these opportunities through tennis. I want to be remembered as a good person and as a child who followed his dreams and achieved more than he had dreamed of.”
The 38-year-old left-hander had indicated before the series that he had to keep his feelings at bay, and that the goal of the week was to try to give his country a title. He had to put aside the idea of imminent retirement, which he revealed last month with the warning that it would be formalized after this team tournament.
But he acknowledged that the circumstances overwhelmed him.
“It has been an emotional day, it may be my last individual, that’s how I felt,” he said. “Of course the emotions with the national anthem for the last time have been very special. A little bit of mixed feelings has made it more difficult”.
Nadal was at least in the mood to joke after the loss to the world number 80 ended his streak of 29 consecutive Davis Cup singles victories. The only other blemish on his record, which was 29-1 entering Tuesday, came in his 2004 debut.
“It was probably my last game. If nothing strange happens, I lost my first Davis game and I lose my last. The circle comes full circle,” said Nadal, whose wife and son were in the stands.
Nadal’s defeat raised the curtain on the crossover between Spain and Holland. It was followed by the victory of Carlos Alcaraz, world number 3, 7-6 (0), 6-3 over Tallon Griekspoor, the 40th in the ranking. Nadal cheered from the side of the court.
Tied 1-1 after singles, the series was decided with the doubles match.
Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof to end the day.
When his match ended — with Nadal moving to his left but failing to get into proper position and sending a backhand into the net — he walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent.
“It was a very tough match to play,” van de Zandschulp said, noting that he idolized Nadal growing up.
In certain respects, and for brief intervals, this was, unequivocally, the Nadal that van de Zandschulp — and so many others — remember. The white headband, marked with the red bull logo that Nadal made famous. The white ribbon wrapped around the four fingers of his left hand, which holds the racket. The water bottles next to his stool, placed in order.
He nailed the occasional ace at the line. The occasional serve-and-volley foray into the net. The occasional hammer blow over the shoulder. And, yes, the occasional jump when yelling “Let’s go!” after winning a key point or closing out a game.
But also, to the chagrin of Nadal and the majority of the 9,200 spectators, there were several points where he seemed like what he really is now: a player diminished by age and injuries.
His backhand didn’t always have the same devastating effect: his 10 baseline winners were just half of van de Zandschulp’s 19. His footwork and speed were far from ideal, somewhat responsible for his 26 unforced errors.
Nadal simply couldn’t give his best, no matter how many “Ra-fa!” or ”Spain!” or ”Yes, you can!” They echoed in the sand.
“At this point in my career I can’t complain too much,” said Nadal. “But it hasn’t gone well.”
This version of Nadal is coming off hip problems, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined limited him to just 23 matches in the last two years. He went 12-8 in singles in 2024.
The match against van de Zandschulp — who upset Alcaraz at the most recent US Open — was Nadal’s first competitive match since early August at the Paris Olympics. There he lost in the second round of singles against Novak Djokovic and fell in the doubles quarterfinals with Alcaraz.
Nadal and Alcaraz—at 21, a four-time major champion who is designated as his heir in Spain—practiced together hours before the start of the day.
The run-up to this Davis Cup focused on memories and tributes to Nadal, including a long post on social media from his rival and friend Roger Federer.
Nadal will forever be remembered for his rivalries with Federer and Djokovic as part of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis, a trio of generational talents who dominated the sport for much of the last two decades.
Federer, now 43, announced his departure in 2022. Djokovic, 37, remains active.
All three were talented. All three were successful. All three were popular.
Nadal’s appeal to fans was both how he played on the court and the humility he showed off it, which could explain why there were even fans wearing the orange representing the Netherlands who applauded when he was introduced.
“When we heard the news that Rafa was retiring, this really became something special, an opportunity to see the best athlete in the history of the country,” said Luis Julve, a 19-year-old university student who traveled from Madrid with his mother. and his aunt.
They and other locals expressed their love again and again, from the thunderous standing ovation that greeted Nadal’s entrance onto the court to the replay after the match’s conclusion. In an example of the home-field advantage often seen in this team tournament — a rowdiness more typical of soccer than the sobriety typical of tennis — they booed and whistled each time the contingent of Dutch fans in a small section of the lower level He tried to offer encouragement to his player.
Nadal couldn’t get ahead this time.
“I have tried to do my best on the court, to be as positive as I could and with the right energy,” Nadal said. “It hasn’t been enough. Botic has been better than me and congratulations to him.”
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