Rafael Nadal's farewell to professional tennis took place on Tuesday, November 19 in Malaga. The Davis Cup Finals were the last official event of his career, the whole world had known about it for months, but the farewell ceremony did not live up to expectations.
ADVERTISEMENT
The organizers knew that if Spain was eliminated Rafa's career would end instantly. The Spanish team was favored in the quarter-final tie against Netherlands, but the choice to field the 22-time Grand Slam champion in singles was the first step towards failure.
Carlos Alcaraz tried in every way to save his country, but a great performance by the Dutch pair in the decisive doubles caused the crowd a shocking disappointment. David Ferrer has been much criticized for his choice to field a player who has been inactive for more than three months (excluding the 'Six Kings Slam') and who has never liked this surface.
The tournament director Feliciano Lopez was unprepared for such an eventuality and Nadal's farewell ceremony was not satisfactory, because many VIPs and colleagues were missing who would arrive in the following days. This sad farewell does not affect the legacy of the former world number 1 in the slightest, but there is a feeling that his last dance could have been handled much better.
ADVERTISEMENT
In Spain, the hunt for the culprits has begun. Lopez and Ferrer have been attacked very hard in recent days, but everyone could have done better. Legends such as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Pau Gasol were not present in Malaga, as their arrival was scheduled for the semifinals on Friday.
Rafa did not complain, thanked everyone and received a beautiful tribute from many athletes, but it was evident that he was very disappointed (not only for his loss against Botic van de Zandschulp).
Big disappointment
Speaking with Onda Cero, his coach Carlos Moya discussed Nadals farewell ceremony: "The feeling we all have is that the farewell was careless and shabby. It's true that it was a Tuesday night, but they had months in advance and it was known that if Spain lost, Rafa would retire. Nadal is very much above all this.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has already returned to Mallorca, where he will begin a new chapter of his life. The former world number 1 will have to get used to new rhythms compared to those that have characterized his entire life and it will be hard for fans to get used to his absence.
The Spanish legend will be able to spend more time with his family, cultivate his passions and help young talents in his Academy. Everyone's hope is that Rafa will not stray too far from the sport that has made him famous all over the world, although it will be necessary to understand in which role he can be useful.
During an interview with MARCA, Federers agent Tony Godsick made a huge revelation about Rafas future: My dream is for Roger to be captain and Rafa assistant and then the other way around. In this way, they would be longer in office.
ADVERTISEMENT
The rivalry they both had on the court was very special, but I think the friendship of the two outside is even more special. They are the clear example that all competitors can get along.
We are working on it and we have several options. On the one hand, there is already a lot of tennis being played in Spain, but it is also true that the Spanish fans have culture and understand the game. It is a country that has had super heroes in this sport.
McNamee on Rafa's farewell
The Davis Cup Finals in Malaga are being played on the indoor hard court, a surface that is not very suitable for Nadal's game. The 14-time French Open champion had not played an official match in these conditions since 2022.
Through his official X profile, tennis legend Paul McNamee expressed his disappointment with the manner of Rafa's farewell.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Can anyone explain to me why the finals @DavisCup, hosted & funded by Spain, were played on hardcourt? Goodness me, Nadal would not have lost that match on clay the surface became the ultimate party pooper, McNamee wrote.
During his glorious career, the Spanish legend won 68% of his matches on indoor hard courts. This is quite a low percentage for a champion of his caliber, who has never won the ATP Finals. The 38-year-old from Manacor reached the final at the ATP Finals in 2010 and 2013 (at the O2 Arena in London), losing to Roger Federer and Nole Djokovic respectively.
