Rafael Nadal chose to give his farewell to tennis by playing for his country and, despite Spain being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, the world was there (in person or in spirit) for the Spanish champion.
Among the many messages and honors received by the Spaniard, stands out the one oflegend Rod Laver, considered by many to be one of the strongest tennis players of all time. The Australian said he was proud to have seen Rafa compete and thanked him for having left him so many moments.
"Rafa, watching you compete has been a privilege. Your legacy will remain as one of the greatest who ever had the pleasure of playing. Thank you for countless unforgettable moments and for setting a standard of excellence that will inspire generations to come. I wish you happiness and success in this next chapter," he wrote on X.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion gave farewell after more than 20 years of success. The Spaniard's final match did not go as he wanted, as he was defeated in two sets by Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp. Although Carlos Alcaraz temporarily tied the game, the Dutch doubles left no chance for Spain, who had to say goodbye to the Davis Cup early.
"I am privileged to have received the affection of the whole world but especially of the Spanish. I have to congratulate the Dutch guys and say goodbye to my teammates. It didn't go as I hoped, but I gave everything I had. This is my last day as a professional tennis player. Now it's up to you guys to continue the work. It's never easy to stop, I still love tennis to death but I can't be competitive anymore. My body doesn't allow me to do it anymore," explained Rafa at the end of the match.
