(VIDEO) Nadal’s Tears in His Final Match
Rafael Nadal could not hold back his tears during his farewell at the Davis Cup, before the match between Spain and the Netherlands began. During the team presentation, as the Spanish national anthem played at the José María Martín Carpena Sports Palace, the Spaniard was visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes as he received an endless ovation from the crowd. Nearly 11,000 spectators filled the stadium, making that moment truly unforgettable.
This match marked Nadal's first in almost three months, following his defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The anticipation to see the Balearic tennis player was immense, especially due to the possibility that this might be his final match on the circuit. The arena was packed despite it being a workday Tuesday, and the crowd showed unwavering support for Rafa, who arrived in Málaga five days prior to prepare for his farewell. With his family and team by his side, Nadal faced the fans who had idolized him for two decades.
Although Nadal opened the quarterfinal tie against Botic Van Zandschulp, the match did not go as expected for the Spaniard. Despite his good level in the prior training sessions, Nadal did not feel comfortable on the court and made mistakes that cost him the first set. Van Zandschulp took advantage of Nadal's weaknesses and won the match 6-4, 6-4, in one hour and 52 minutes, leaving fans with a mix of sadness and gratitude for their idol’s legacy.
The day was full of emotions for Nadal, who, though resigned to the defeat, still expressed his gratitude to the crowd. Before heading to the locker room, he walked to the center of the court, opened his arms, and received one last ovation from the audience. With tear-filled eyes, Nadal said goodbye to the fans who, despite the loss, hailed him as a tennis legend.
The event in Málaga marked the end of an incredible career, with Nadal leaving behind a path full of achievements, including two Olympic gold medals and 22 Grand Slam titles. The Davis Cup was the stage for his final professional appearance, a competition he already won in 2004 and, 20 years later, witnessed his definitive farewell.
