MALAGA, Spain — With tears brimming in his eyes and a deep bite into his lower lip, Rafael Nadal stood proudly with his fellow Davis Cup teammates as they sang Spain’s national anthem. It was a poignant moment on Tuesday, one filled with the weight of knowing that he might be playing his final match.
After a gripping contest, Nadal ultimately fell to the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Hours later, as the clock struck midnight, it became clear that this loss marked the end of the road for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, as the Dutch team eliminated Spain in the quarterfinals.
During an emotional post-match ceremony celebrating his illustrious career, Nadal found himself in tears as the crowd erupted into chants of “Raaa-faaa,” while a montage played, highlighting over two decades of his legendary journey. Tributes flooded in from tennis icons such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, and sports legends like Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez, Andy Murray, and even international stars like David Beckham and Sergio Garcia.
In front of a sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, the 38-year-old Nadal reflected, “People might know about my titles and numbers, but I wish to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Mallorca—just a kid who chased his dreams with all his heart. … I consider myself very fortunate.”
Before the match, he had mentally prepared himself to push aside his emotions, focusing instead on the goal of bringing home one last trophy for his country, following his announcement of retirement after this event.
However, he later admitted, “It was tough to manage the emotions,” acknowledging the nerves he felt amidst the cheers from a loving crowd, most of whom were there for him alone.
After his match, a celebrated 14-time French Open champion, Nadal became a source of encouragement for his colleague, Carlos Alcaraz, who managed to tie their contest against the Netherlands at 1-1 by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3. Alas, the Dutch secured victory when van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof triumphed over Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers in the deciding doubles match.
Even if Spain had advanced, Nadal declared he wouldn’t bet on himself for a semifinal match after his performance against the 80th-ranked player.
At least he managed to joke about the end of his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles, humorously noting the duality of his start and finish. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So, we’ve come full circle.”
As the final point was played and Nadal walked to the net for a brief embrace with van de Zandschulp, the younger player shared, “That was a tough, tough match. I’ve looked up to Nadal my whole life.”
In many ways, Nadal still embodied the traits that made him legendary. Clad in his iconic white headband emblazoned with the red bull logo, his fingers wrapped in white tape, and his meticulous arrangement of water bottles, he reminded fans of the champion they adored.
He showcased fleeting flashes of brilliance with crisp serves and powerful volleys, even erupting into his signature “Vamos!” moments. Yet there were also signs of the weariness that age and injuries have imparted upon this once unstoppable force.
Despite the energizing chants of “Ra-fa!” and “España!” and the sea of red and yellow flags around the arena, this match revealed a Nadal limited by hip issues—culminating in surgery in June 2023—and other ailments that restricted him to just 24 matches over the past two years. He finished the year with a 12-8 singles record.
The clash against van de Zandschulp, a player who previously upset Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, was Nadal’s first competitive outing since early August, where he faced Djokovic and exited in the second round before falling in the doubles quarterfinals with Alcaraz.
Prior to the event, Nadal and Alcaraz practiced together, kicking off a day filled with tributes and nostalgia for Nadal’s extraordinary career.
“You’ve made an indelible mark on the tennis world,” said Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, who faced Nadal in the epic 2013 French Open final. “You will be greatly missed.”
Nadal’s impact lies not only in his fierce dedication on the court but also in the down-to-earth nature he exhibited off it. He transcended sports to become a national icon in Spain, receiving a heartfelt farewell filled with adoration from the crowd, who celebrated him with cheers and standing ovations throughout the evening.
“After we heard the news of Rafa’s retirement, it became a special occasion to witness the greatest athlete this country has ever produced,” said Luis Julve, a college student who traveled from Madrid to see the event with family.
As the evening came to a close, Nadal embraced his teammates and paused to bid farewell to his loyal supporters one final time.
“Honestly, nobody wants this moment to come,” Nadal sighed. “I still cherish playing tennis, but my body has reached its limits. I have to accept this reality. I feel incredibly privileged to have turned my passion into a profession, and to have enjoyed a career far beyond what I ever envisioned.”
