Rafael Nadal’s legendary tennis career came to an emotional end on Tuesday as Spain fell to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, the 38-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to world No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp.
The defeat came in Nadal’s final match after more than two decades of dominance on the court, during which he secured 22 Grand Slam titles and inspired millions worldwide.
The atmosphere was charged with emotion as fans chanted “Rafa, Rafa, Rafa” at the conclusion of the match. A ceremony celebrating Nadal’s storied career featured a tribute video that left the tennis icon visibly moved.
Speaking to the crowd, Nadal expressed gratitude for his journey while acknowledging the physical challenges that led to his retirement. “I’m not tired of playing tennis, but it’s my body that doesn’t want to play anymore,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, he added, “I feel super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby and for having played much longer than I could ever have imagined.”
Nadal’s loss came as part of Spain’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands, ending their Davis Cup run. Despite his own result, Nadal was a vocal supporter of his teammates from the sidelines, cheering passionately as Carlos Alcaraz kept Spain’s hopes alive with a singles victory. However, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were narrowly defeated in the decisive doubles match, sealing the Dutch team’s victory.
Van de Zandschulp, who idolised Nadal as a child, acknowledged the importance of the moment. “It was a tough match to play. Playing Rafa here in Spain, probably the biggest sportsman in the country—the atmosphere was crazy,” he said.
The Dutch advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2001, where they will face the winner of Germany and Canada.
Nadal, who had not competed in an official match for over three months, faced challenges in finding his rhythm against the big-serving Dutchman. Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled to keep pace and admitted that the extended time away from competition had made it difficult to maintain the edge required to succeed.
The loss also marked a poignant full circle for Nadal in the Davis Cup. He won his first singles match in the tournament in 2004 and helped Spain claim titles in five editions. Speaking on the symmetry, Nadal said, “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle.”
As Nadal waved goodbye to the crowd and embraced his teammates for the last time, tributes poured in for one of the greatest athletes in history. Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, praised his contributions to the sport, saying, “We will miss you a lot. The ‘Vamos, Rafa’ chant will always be part of history.”
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