Rafa Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion, ended his remarkable career on a bittersweet note during the Davis Cup in Malaga. On Tuesday night, the 38-year-old lost his final match, falling 6-4, 6-4 to Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. Despite his determination, the spark that defined his career was missing.
Spain’s rising star Carlos Alcaraz kept hopes alive by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3, but even with Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers teaming up in doubles, they couldn’t secure victory. The Dutch pair, including Wesley Koolhof—playing the last event of his own career—delivered an impressive performance, defeating the Spaniards 7-6(4), 7-6(3) and ending Spain’s run.
Nadal, ever the passionate supporter, cheered his teammates from the sidelines. However, as reality set in, he grew emotional. Known for his contributions to four Davis Cup-winning teams, Nadal couldn’t hold back tears during the Spanish anthem and later as a montage of his legendary career played for the crowd.
In a heartfelt speech, Nadal reflected on his journey:
“I was just a kid from a small village who got lucky. My uncle was a tennis coach, and my family supported me. Many people work hard, but I was fortunate to live unforgettable experiences through tennis. I hope people remember me as someone who followed his dreams.”
Nadal had an incredible Davis Cup record, winning 29 out of 30 singles matches before this defeat. His career, highlighted by 14 French Open titles, was announced to end at this Davis Cup, marking a full-circle moment since his first loss in the event in 2004.
Although he showed glimpses of his brilliance, the lack of matches this year—only 24 since 2023 began—affected his performance. His opponent, Van de Zandschulp, admitted that under different circumstances, he would have been cheering for Nadal instead of playing against him.
Carlos Alcaraz expressed his admiration after his victory, saying, “I did it for Rafa.” Unfortunately, their doubles effort wasn’t enough, and the Dutch duo spoiled the dream farewell.
Nadal stayed composed, saying, “In some ways, it’s fitting to end like this. I lost my first Davis Cup match, and now my last. It closes the circle.”
The Malaga crowd, holding scarves reading “Gracias Rafa,” honored Nadal with a standing ovation well past midnight. While the night was emotional, one moment felt missing—his long-time rival and friend, Roger Federer.
Federer, who shared a tearful goodbye with Nadal during his own retirement at the Laver Cup in 2022, wrote a heartfelt letter to Nadal earlier that day.
“You beat me more than I beat you,” Federer wrote. “You challenged me like no one else could.”
This emotional farewell to Rafa Nadal, one of the greatest sports icons, left a lasting mark on fans and the tennis world.
