An emotional Rafael Nadal stood alongside his teammates, biting his lower lip and fighting back tears as Spain’s national anthem played on Tuesday, marking what many believed could be the final match of his illustrious career. Hours later, following a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s exit from the tournament confirmed his retirement, as Spain was eliminated from the Davis Cup quarterfinals shortly after midnight.
During a heartfelt post-match ceremony, Nadal wept as the crowd chanted “Raaa-faaa” in his honor. A video tribute showcased highlights from his remarkable two-decade career, featuring messages from tennis legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams, as well as athletes from other sports, including golfer Sergio Garcia and soccer star David Beckham. “The titles and numbers are there, so people probably know that. But I would like to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” the 38-year-old Nadal told the enthusiastic crowd at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. “I have been very lucky.”
Despite announcing his retirement last month, Nadal had initially focused on the possibility of winning one last trophy for Spain. However, after the match, he admitted that managing his emotions was challenging, especially with the overwhelming support from fans who came to see him play.
After Nadal’s loss, Carlos Alcaraz brought Spain level by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 in the other singles match. Unfortunately, the Dutch duo of van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured victory for the Netherlands by winning the decisive doubles match against Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).
Reflecting on his performance, Nadal humorously noted that if he were the team captain, he wouldn’t select himself for the semifinals. The defeat ended his impressive 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles, with his only other loss occurring in his debut in 2004. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one,” he said with a smile. “So we close the circle.”
As Nadal’s career came to a close, he exchanged a brief hug with van de Zandschulp, who expressed his admiration for Nadal, stating, “That was a tough match to play.” The match showcased the familiar Nadal: the iconic white headband, the red bull logo, and his signature intensity, even as age and injuries took their toll.
Despite the support from the crowd chanting “Ra-fa!” and waving flags, Nadal struggled to find his rhythm on the court. He faced ongoing hip issues and abdominal problems that limited him to just 24 matches over the past two years, finishing the 2024 season with a 12-8 singles record.
This match was Nadal’s first competitive outing since early August at the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Djokovic in the second round of singles and exited the doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz. Earlier in the day, he and Alcaraz practiced together, but the focus remained on Nadal and his legacy.
Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, who faced Nadal in the 2013 French Open final, praised him, saying, “You know very well what you have meant to the tennis world. We will miss you a lot.” Nadal’s relentless playing style and humility have made him a national hero in Spain, as evidenced by the outpouring of love from fans throughout the night.
After the matches and the emotional ceremony, Nadal embraced his teammates and waved goodbye to the crowd one last time. “The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment,” he reflected. “I’m not tired of playing tennis, but it’s my body that doesn’t want to play anymore. I have to accept the situation. Honestly, I feel super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby and for having played for much longer than I could ever have imagined.”
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