Rafael Nadal has officially ended his professional tennis career at the 2024 Davis Cup.
On the night of November 19, the "Land of the Ancestors" lost 4-6, 4-6 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the first singles match. In the second singles match, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (0), 6-3. The result of the quarter-final match between Spain and the Netherlands was decided by the men's doubles match. Alcaraz paired with Marcel Granoller of the Spanish tennis team to play against Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof. The Spanish pair lost 6-7(4)), 6-7(3), stopping in the quarter-finals.
After the match, Nadal was prepared by the organizers for a gratitude ceremony. The legendary tennis player gave an emotional speech in front of 11,000 spectators in Malaga.
"I felt like this was my last match. Maybe it's good, because it's the end of a cycle. I lost my first Davis Cup match, so losing my last Davis Cup match is probably a full set. I want to thank a lot of people. Over the past 20 years, I have received help from many people.
In difficult times, you gave me more motivation, helping me fight to get each point. I feel very lucky to have received great affection from everyone. I would like to thank the entire Spanish team and congratulate the Netherlands on their victory.
The truth is that no one wants to be at this moment. I'm not tired of tennis, but my body doesn't allow me to continue. Playing tennis is a privilege, because I turned my passion into a career, and it lasted longer than I ever thought. Family, teammates, friends - that's all I have thanks to tennis. I am proud of the legacy I left.
I believe in continuity and the love that those around me have given me. Thank you very much. I am extremely grateful to have you on this long journey. To all the brothers and sisters who are playing tennis. Let's continue to develop tennis to become a global sport. Even though I am out of tennis, I will not leave tennis. Hopefully I will be a great ambassador for this sport.
You all know my titles, my numbers. But I want to be remembered as a good person, a lucky guy from Mallorca. I had an uncle who was a tennis coach as a child, and a wonderful family who always supported me. I am just a child who has worked very hard to achieve my dream.
I know not everyone is as lucky as me. There are children who have tried their best but have not had the opportunity to experience the wonderful things of tennis. Therefore, I have to appreciate what I have achieved as well as the great opponents who have helped me reach this far. Without them, my career probably wouldn't have lasted as long.
It's meaningful to say goodbye to tennis in Spain, in Malaga. Today, I say goodbye, but my love for tennis will last forever. Thank you very much," Nadal said in an excerpt from his speech.
Nadal was born in 1986 and started playing professionally in 2001. He is known as the "King of Ancestral Land" with his persistent defensive ability and famous return shots.
In his career, Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams, including a record 14 Roland Garros titles, 2 Wimbledon championships, 2 Australian Open titles and 4 US Open titles. In addition to 92 major and minor ATP titles, Nadal also holds gold medals in men's singles and men's doubles.
The only major title the 38-year-old has yet to reach in his career is the ATP Finals - a tournament for the top eight players each year.
Nadal once helped the Spanish tennis team win the Davis Cup 4 times. He won 29 of his 31 singles matches in the team event a Spanish record.
