Rafael Nadal stood silently as the Spanish national anthem played, his lips trembling and eyes welling up with tears. He was surrounded by his teammates as they prepared for what many feared would be the final match of his illustrious tennis career. After a 6-4, 6-4 loss to the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, the 22-time Grand Slam champion officially ended his career, as Spain was eliminated from the tournament.
The moment marked a poignant farewell to professional tennis, as the 38-year-old Nadal, visibly emotional, was honored in an on-court ceremony. A video tribute played highlights from his remarkable two-decade-long career, showcasing his achievements and unforgettable moments on the court. Current and former tennis stars such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and Conchita Martinez paid tribute to Nadal, alongside figures from other sports like golf’s Sergio Garcia and soccer’s David Beckham.
Nadal addressed the crowd at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, reflecting on his career and his humble beginnings in Mallorca. He expressed gratitude for his success and the opportunity to play tennis professionally, emphasizing that, beyond the titles, he hoped to be remembered as a good person who worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams.
Despite his plans to retire after this event, Nadal had set aside his personal emotions in the lead-up to the Davis Cup. His primary focus was to secure one final victory for Spain. However, following his loss to van de Zandschulp, Nadal struggled to manage his emotions, acknowledging the overwhelming nerves during his final match on home soil.
After Nadal’s loss, Spain’s hopes rested on Carlos Alcaraz, who won his match against Tallon Griekspoor, leveling the tie at 1-1. However, van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched the victory for the Netherlands by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers in the deciding doubles match.
Even if Spain had managed to advance, Nadal, who was dealing with lingering injuries, admitted that he would not have selected himself to play in the semifinals, given his performance. His loss ended an impressive 29-match Davis Cup singles winning streak, with his only previous defeat in the competition coming during his debut in 2004. With a touch of humor, Nadal remarked on the symmetry of his career, having lost both his first and last Davis Cup singles matches.
Nadal’s departure from competitive tennis was marked by both nostalgia and recognition of his legacy. The iconic imagery of Nadal on court—the white headband, the red bull logo, and the taped fingers—was still present, even as he struggled with injuries. Despite his physical limitations, Nadal showed glimpses of his old brilliance, including a few well-placed serves and his signature “Vamos!” The crowd cheered for him with chants of “Ra-fa!” and waving flags, but the reality of his decline was clear as he was unable to regain the dominance that defined his career.
A series of hip surgeries, including one in June 2023, and abdominal issues had kept Nadal sidelined for much of the past two years. He had played only 24 matches in that period, finishing 2024 with a 12-8 singles record. His loss to van de Zandschulp, his first official match since August at the Paris Olympics, symbolized the end of an era.
Ahead of the match, Nadal had practiced with Alcaraz, and the day was filled with tributes to him from fellow players, including Spain’s captain, David Ferrer. The emotional atmosphere highlighted Nadal’s status as a beloved national hero, transcending the sport itself. His impact on tennis and Spain was evident in the countless fans who came to honor him during his final moments on court.
As the ceremony concluded, Nadal shared an emotional farewell with his teammates, waving to the crowd one last time. Despite his physical limitations, Nadal expressed deep gratitude for his career, remarking that while his body no longer allowed him to play, he felt incredibly fortunate to have enjoyed a career beyond what he could have ever imagined.
