Emotional Rafael Nadal ends career as Spain is ousted at Davis Cup

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

MALAGA, Spain — Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anthem Tuesday before what he – and everyone – knew might be the last match of his career.

Hours after Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands was over, the evening did turn out to represent the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s farewell to professional tennis, because the Dutch eliminated the Spaniards in the quarterfinals just after midnight.

And it was during an on-court, post-match ceremony to honor Nadal that he cried and cried, at the sing-song chorus of “Raaa-faaa” from the spectators, at the video showing highlights from his more than two decades on tour and the collection of recorded tributes from current or former players such as his Big Three rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez and Andy Murray, and stars from other sports such as golf’s Sergio Garcia or soccer’s David Beckham.

“The titles, the numbers, are there, so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” the 38-year-old Nadal told the flag-waving, sign-toting crowd at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. “Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible. … I have been very lucky.”

He had said beforehand that his feelings would need to be put on hold, that this week was about attempting to claim one last trophy for his country, not about pondering his impending retirement, which he announced last month would come after this event.

But he acknowledged after playing that “the emotions were difficult to manage,” and that he felt nerves out there amid the roars of an adoring audience that mostly showed up for one player and one player only.

After Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was beaten on the indoor hard court in southern Spain, he became a cheerleader for his heir apparent, Carlos Alcaraz, who evened the matchup against the Netherlands at 1-all by getting past Tallon Griekspoor, 7-6 (0), 6-3, in the other singles match. But then van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched the victory for the Dutch by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), in the deciding doubles match.

Even if Spain had managed to get past the Netherlands, Nadal said that if he were his team’s captain, he wouldn’t pick himself to play again in the semifinals after that performance against the 80th-ranked van de Zandschulp.

At least he was in a joking mood after the result put a stop to his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles. The only other blemish on his record, which stood at 29-1 entering Tuesday, came in his 2004 debut.

“I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one,” Nadal said with a wide grin. “So we close the circle.”

When a forehand found the net to close his last match, Nadal walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent.

“That was a tough, tough match to play,” said van de Zandschulp, noting that he idolized Nadal while growing up.

In certain ways, this was, unmistakably, the Nadal that van de Zandschulp – and so many others – can remember. The white headband, marked with the red bull logo Nadal made famous. The white tape wrapped around all four of his left, racket-holding fingers. The water bottles by his sideline bench, placed just so.

There was the occasional ace right on a line. The occasional serve-and-volley foray. The occasional over-the-shoulder putaway. And, yes, the occasional uppercut and scream of “Vamos!” There also were – neither to Nadal’s or most of the 9,200 spectators’ liking – several points where he looked like a once-dominant figure diminished by age and injuries.

Nadal was just not able to bring his best, no matter how many chants of “Ra-fa!” or “España!” or “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, you can!”) broke out, no matter how many scarves reading “Gracias, Rafa!” or red-and-yellow Spanish flags of all sizes filled the arena.

This version of Nadal had hip issues, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined to limit him to only 24 matches over the past two years. He went 12-8 in singles in 2024.

The match against van de Zandschulp – who upset Alcaraz at the U.S. Open – was Nadal’s first outing that counted since early August at the Paris Olympics. He lost there in the second round of singles to Djokovic and bowed out in the doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz.

Nadal and Alcaraz practiced with each other hours before the start of play. The day, much like the entire Davis Cup leadup, was largely about memories of, and praise for, Nadal.

“You know very well what you have meant to the tennis world,” said Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, who lost to Nadal in the 2013 French Open final. “We will miss you a lot.”

Nadal’s appeal was found in how he played tennis, relentless and striking each shot as if it might be his last, and the humility he displayed away from competition. No one cared for him as much as his fellow Spaniards. He is a national hero, transcending sports, and that was clear from the love expressed over and over via shouts and standing ovations – when Nadal entered the court, when he won a point, when his match ended, and so on.

“When we heard the news that Rafa was retiring, this really became something special – a chance to see the greatest sportsman in the country’s history,” said Luis Julve, a 19-year-old college student who made the trip from Madrid with his mother and aunt.

When the matches, the ceremony, the night and his career were over, Nadal hugged his teammates and left the court, pausing to wave goodbye to his fans one last time.

“The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment,” Nadal said. “I’m not tired of playing tennis, but it’s my body that doesn’t want to play anymore, so I have to accept the situation. Honestly, I feel super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby, and for having played for much longer than I could ever have imagined. I achieved more than I ever believed possible.”

FEDERER SAYS NADAL MADE HIM ENJOY TENNIS MORE

Federer says Nadal made him enjoy tennis “even more” during a rivalry that spanned 40 matches over 15 years.

Writing on social media Tuesday, hours before the start of the Davis Cup quarterfinals, Nadal’s last event before heading into retirement, Federer began his message with the word “Vamos” and said: “As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.”

“Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me – a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could,” Federer said. “On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.”

Federer, now 43, was established at No. 1 in the rankings when Nadal, now 38, came along. Federer started his career with a 7-0 record in Grand Slam finals before his first loss at that stage arrived against Nadal in the 2006 French Open final, the first of their three consecutive title matches in Paris – each with the same result.

Nadal also defeated Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, ending the Swiss star’s bid for a sixth championship in a row at the All England Club.

In all, Nadal led their head-to-head series 26-14, including 10-4 at Grand Slam tournaments and 6-3 in Slam finals.

Still, Federer told Nadal in his post, referring to him by the nickname Rafa: “You made me enjoy the game even more.”

They helped form the Big Three of men’s tennis along with Djokovic, who is still active at age 37 and has won a men’s record 24 major trophies. Nadal is next on the list with 22, followed by Federer with 20.

“What an incredible run you’ve had,” Federer posted. “Including 14 French Opens – historic! You made Spain proud … you made the whole tennis world proud.”

When Federer left the sport by playing a doubles match at the Laver Cup in September 2022, his partner was Nadal. The two sat side-by-side afterward, crying.

“It meant everything to me that you were there by my side – not as my rival but as my doubles partner,” Federer wrote Tuesday. “Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.

“Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done,” Federer wrote. “I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.”

NADAL’S NOTABLE NUMBERS

Here is a look at some of Nadal’s career statistics, according to the ATP and the International Tennis Federation:

• 22 Grand Slam titles, second among men to Djokovic’s 24

• 14 championships at the French Open, the most at any Grand Slam tournament by a man or woman

• 112-4 career win-loss record at Roland Garros

• A career Grand Slam, including four titles at the U.S. Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open

• 29-2 in Davis Cup singles play; his only defeats came against Jiri Novak in his debut in 2004 and against Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday, prompting this remark from Nadal: “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle.”

• An .826 winning percentage in tour-level matches, second among men to Djokovic’s .835

• 1,080-228 career record in tour-level singles matches gives him the fourth-most wins among men in the Open era, which dates to 1968, behind Jimmy Connors (1,274), Federer (1,251) and Djokovic (1,124)

• 92 titles, the fifth-most among men in the Open era, trailing Connors (109), Federer (103), Djokovic (99) and Ivan Lendl (94)

• 209 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings, the sixth-most ever

• Five years finishing at No. 1 in the rankings (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019) and eight years finishing at No. 2 (2005-07, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2020 and 2022)

• Two Olympic gold medals, in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016

• At least one tour-level title for 19 consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2022, tied with Djokovic

• 23 victories against a man ranked No. 1 at the time, the most since ATP computerized rankings began in 1973

• 63 clay-court titles, the most for a man in the Open era

• 410 wins at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, tied with Djokovic for the most

AP Sports Writer Tales Azzoni contributed to this report.