MÁLAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and fixed his reddened eyes on the stands. Alongside his teammates from the Spanish Davis Cup team, he listened to the national anthem on Tuesday, before what the left-handed player from Mallorca knew could be the last match of his career.
Hours after Nadal succumbed 6-4, 6-4 to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, the night ended with the farewell of the 22-time Grand Slam champion: the Netherlands defeated the Spaniards in the quarterfinals and the Mallorcan left professional tennis.
How was Nadal's farewell in Malaga?
During a ceremony on the court, after the match, Nadal cried nonstop, while the audience chanted incessantly: "Raaafaaa!". The screen showed the best moments of more than two decades of his career.
And several figures appeared in recorded farewell messages.
Among these were the rivals of the "Big Three" group, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as well as other tennis legends such as Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez, and Andy Murray, as well as stars from other sports such as former Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia or former footballer David Beckham.
"The titles, the numbers are there, people probably know that, but how I want to be remembered is as a good person from a small town in Mallorca who was lucky to have an uncle who was a coach when I was very young," said the 38-year-old athlete, as the crowd waved flags and continued singing at the José María Martín Carpena Sports Palace.
And then "Rafa" Nadal continued: "I have had a great family that has supported me at every moment. Just a kid who followed his dreams, worked as hard as possible to be here. In the end, many people work, many try every day, but I am one of those who has been lucky and life has given me the opportunity to live these opportunities through tennis. I want to be remembered as a good person and as a kid who followed his dreams and achieved more than he had dreamed of."
The 38-year-old left-handed player had indicated before the series that he had to keep his emotions in check, and that the goal of the week was to try to give a title to his country. He had to set aside the idea of imminent retirement, which he revealed last month with the warning that it would be formalized after this team tournament. However, he acknowledged that the circumstances overwhelmed him.
"It has been an emotional day, it may be my last individual, that's how I felt," he said. "Of course, the emotions with the national anthem for the last time have been very special. A mix of feelings, it has made it more difficult."
This was Spain's defeat against the Netherlands
Nadal's defeat opened the curtain on the clash between Spain and the Netherlands. It was followed by the victory of Carlos Alcaraz, the number 3 in the world, who won 7-6 (0), 6-3 against Tallon Griekspoor.
Tied 1-1 after the singles matches, the series was decided with the doubles match, where Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) against Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof to end the day.
In the semifinals, the Netherlands awaits the winner of the match between Canada and Germany, which will be played this Wednesday.