Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Emotional Nadal Retires From Tennis

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 singsong 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.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 20 November 2024 8:42 am

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Rafael Nadal

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Spain's Rafael Nadal during a tribute after playing his last match | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's Rafael Nadal during a tribute after playing his last match as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Nadal waves to the crowd

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Spain's Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd during a tribute after playing his last match as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_David Ferrer

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Rafael Nadal embraces David Ferrer | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal embraces David Ferrer, captain of Team Spain, after losing against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Nadal during a tribute after playing his last match | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's Rafael Nadal during a tribute after playing his last match as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after losing against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after losing against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Botic Van De Zandschulp

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Nadal shakes hands with Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Davis Cup quarterfinal

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Nadal competes against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal competes against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Nadal celebrates a point

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Botic Van De Zandschulp | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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2024 Davis Cup Tennis Finals Rafael Nadal Retires_Rafael Nadal serves

Davis Cup 2024 Finals: Rafael Nadal serves to Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves to Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during a Davis Cup quarterfinal match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain.

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