Tennis Legend Rafael Nadal Retires from Davis Cup Following Emotional Loss and Spain's Elimination

Rafael Nal will always rank among best tennis players of all time. His retirement from professional tennis came with a heartbreaking goodbye in Davis Cup, when he lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, refore ending an amazing career with 22 Grand Slam victories.

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Rafael Nal retires from professional tennis after Spain’s loss to Dutch

Rafael Nal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anm Tuesday before what he — and everyone — knew might be last match of his career.

Hours after Nal’s 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of Nerlands was over, evening did turn out to represent 22-time Grand Slam champion’s farewell to professional tennis, because Dutch eliminated Spaniards in quarterfinals just after midnight.

And it was during an on-court, post-match ceremony to honor Nal that he cried and cried, at singsong chorus of “Raaa-faaa” from spectators, at video showing highlights from his more than two deces on tour and collection of recorded tributes from current or former players such as his Big Three rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez and Andy Murray, and stars from or sports such as golf’s Sergio Garcia or soccer’s David Beckham.

“ titles, numbers, are re, so people probably know that, but way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” 38-year-old Nal told flag-waving, sign-toting crowd at sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. “Just a kid that followed ir dreams, worked as hard as possible. ... I have been very lucky.”

He h said beforehand that his feelings would need to be put on hold, that this week was about attempting to claim one last trophy for his country, not about pondering his impending retirement, which he announced last month would come after this event.

But he acknowledged after playing that “ emotions were difficult to manage,” and that he felt nerves out re amid roars of an oring audience that mostly showed up for one player and one player only.

After Nal, a 14-time French Open champion, was beaten on indoor hard court in sourn Spain, he became a cheerleer for his heir apparent, Carlos Alcaraz, who evened matchup against Nerlands at 1-all by getting past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 in or singles match. But n van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched victory for Dutch by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in deciding doubles match.

Even if Spain h managed to get past Nerlands, Nal said that if he were his team’s captain, he wouldn’t pick himself to play again in semifinals after that performance against 80th-ranked van de Zandschulp.

At least he was in a joking mood after result put a stop to his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles. only or blemish on his record, which stood at 29-1 entering Tuesday, came in his 2004 debut.

“I lost my first match in Davis Cup, and I lost my last one,” Nal said with a wide grin. “So we close circle.”

When a forehand found net to close his last match, Nal walked to net for a quick hug with his opponent.

“That was a tough, tough match to play,” said van de Zandschulp, noting that he idolized Nal while growing up.

In certain ways, this was, unmistakably, Nal that van de Zandschulp — and so many ors — can remember. white heband, marked with red bull logo Nal me famous. white tape wrapped around all four of his left, racket-holding fingers. water bottles by his sideline bench, placed just so.

re was occasional ace right on a line. occasional serve-and-volley foray. occasional over--shoulder putaway. And, yes, occasional uppercut and scream of “Vamos!” re also were — neir to Nal’s or most of 9,200 spectators’ liking — several points where he looked like a once-dominant figure diminished by age and injuries.

Nal was just not able to bring his best, no matter how many chants of “Ra-fa!” or “España!” or “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, you can!”) broke out, no matter how many scarves reing “Gracias, Rafa!” or red-and-yellow Spanish flags of all sizes filled arena.

This version of Nal h hip issues, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined to limit him to only 24 matches over past two years. He went 12-8 in singles in 2024.

match against van de Zandschulp — who upset Alcaraz at U.S. Open — was Nal’s first outing that counted since early August at Paris Olympics. He lost re in second round of singles to Djokovic and bowed out in doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz.

Nal and Alcaraz practiced with each or hours before start of play. day, much like entire Davis Cup leup, was largely about memories of, and praise for, Nal.

“You know very well what you have meant to tennis world,” said Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, who lost to Nal in 2013 French Open final. “We will miss you a lot.”

Nal’s appeal was found in how he played tennis, relentless and striking each shot as if it might be his last, and humility he displayed away from competition. No one cared for him as much as his fellow Spaniards. He is a national hero, transcending sports, and that was clear from love expressed over and over via shouts and standing ovations — when Nal entered court, when he won a point, when his match ended, and so on.

“When we heard news that Rafa was retiring, this really became something special — a chance to see greatest sportsman in country’s history,” said Luis Julve, a 19-year-old college student who me trip from Mrid with his mor and aunt.

When matches, ceremony, night and his career were over, Nal hugged his teammates and left court, pausing to wave goodbye to his fans one last time.

“ truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment,” Nal said. “I’m not tired of playing tennis, but it’s my body that doesn’t want to play anymore, so I have to accept 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.”

(AP)