Rafael Nadal has officially ended his professional tennis career at the 2024 Davis Cup.
On the night of November 19, the "King of Clay" 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 to their opponents 6-7(4), 6-7(3), stopping in the quarter-finals.
After the match, Nadal was given a tribute by the organizers. The legendary tennis player gave an emotional speech in front of 11,000 spectators in Malaga.
"I feel like this will be my last match. Maybe that's good, because it's the end of a cycle. I lost my first match in Davis Cup, so losing my last match in Davis Cup is probably a complete thing. I want to thank a lot of people. Over the past 20 years, I've received help from a lot of people.
In difficult moments, you gave me motivation and helped me fight for every point. I feel very lucky to have received such great affection from everyone. Thank you to the entire Spanish team and congratulations to the Netherlands on their victory.
The truth is that no one wants this moment to come. I am not tired of tennis, but my body is not allowing me to continue. Playing tennis is a privilege, because I have turned my passion into a career, and it has lasted longer than I ever thought it would. Family, teammates, friends - these are all things I have because of tennis. I am proud of the legacy I leave behind.
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 as my companions on this long journey. To all my brothers and sisters who are playing tennis. Let's continue to develop tennis to become a global sport. Even though I am retiring, I will not leave tennis. I hope I will be a great ambassador for this sport.
You know my titles, my numbers. But I want to be remembered as a decent person, a lucky guy from Mallorca. I had an uncle who was a tennis coach when I was young, and a wonderful family who supported me. I was just a kid who worked hard to achieve my dream.
I know not everyone is as lucky as I am. There are kids who work hard but don’t get the chance to experience the great things tennis has to offer. So I have to appreciate what I have achieved and the great opponents who have helped me get there. Without them, my career would not have lasted as long.
It was meaningful to say goodbye to tennis in Spain, in Malaga. Today, I say goodbye, but the love for tennis will remain forever. Thank you very much," Nadal said in his speech.
Nadal was born in 1986 and started playing professionally in 2001. He is known as the "King of Clay" with his tenacious defense and famous forehand spin.
In his career, Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams, including a record 14 Roland Garros titles, two Wimbledon titles, two Australian Open titles and four US Open titles. In addition to 92 ATP titles, Nadal also holds Olympic gold medals in men's singles and men's doubles.
The only major title the 38-year-old has yet to win in his career is the ATP Finals - a tournament for the eight best players each year.
Nadal has helped Spain win the Davis Cup four times. He won 29 of his 31 singles matches in the team event – a Spanish record.
