Rafael Nadal claims he has “closed the circle” on his tennis career, which ended with the Davis Cup in Málaga.
“It’s in some ways good, maybe, if that was my last match,” Nadal remarked, smiling, shortly following his singles encounter. “I lost my first and last Davis Cup match. So we complete the circle.”
Nadal suffered his first Davis Cup singles defeat in 20 years, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp after winning 29 consecutive matches. The Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday morning, bringing Nadal’s career to an end.
Nadal was in tears moments before the match when he and his teammates stood on the court to hear the national anthem before attempting to play. “Of course, it has been an emotional day,” Nadal stated. “That’s how I felt. The emotional impact of hearing the national anthem for the final time is truly unforgettable. And then, of course, having mixed feelings complicates everything.”
It took some time for Nadal to understand the outcome of his career as the tie progressed. After Alcaraz tied Spain and the Netherlands at 1-1 with a 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp won 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) over Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers.
Afterwards, Nadal remained on the court for a special ceremony in which he addressed the audience, thanking his family and everyone who had supported him during his career. Nadal shed tears after his opponents and colleagues, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray, addressed him and paid respect to his career in a video montage.
“The truth is, you never want to reach this position. I’m not bored of playing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to play anymore, and you must accept that,” Nadal stated. “I consider myself quite fortunate to have been able to turn my interest into a vocation for such an extended period. I also recall my family and team; you have been an indelible part of my life for all these years.
“I am a person who believes in continuity and keeping close to those who have improved my life and provided me with personal relationships that extend far beyond the professional. Thank you so much; without you, this would not have been possible, and I mean it from the heart.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered in the sport, Nadal replied, “As a good person from a small community in Mallorca. That I lived the life that I did. When I was a little kid, my uncle worked as a tennis coach in our hamlet. Just a child who pursued their ambitions and worked tirelessly to be where I am now. To be honest, many people work hard and strive to do their best every day. But I am one of the lucky ones.”
