Twenty-two time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal has officially retired from tennis after Spain lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the opening round of the Davis Cup Finals.
The 14-time French Open champion confirmed several weeks ago that the international tournament would be his last as a professional player, and there was uncertainty as to whether he would partake in a singles or doubles encounter versus the Dutch.
Nadal ended up opening Spain's bid for glory against Botic van de Zandschulp, but the 38-year-old fell to a 4-6 4-6 defeat before Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6[0] 6-3 to delay Nadal's retirement.
Alcaraz then joined forces with Marcel Granollers to take on Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the pivotal doubles battle, in which the Dutch duo prevailed in two nerve-wracking tie-breaks for a 7-6[4] 7-6[3] victory.
Before commencing his battle with Van de Zandschulp in Tuesday's opening tie, Nadal allowed the tears to flow as he lined up alongside his compatriots in Malaga, but he was unsurprisingly far from his scintillating best in the one-hour and 52-minute battle.
Nadal loses final career match at Davis Cup
For your fighting spirit.
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
For your humility and kindness.
For everything you've done for tennis.
Gracias, Rafa. pic.twitter.com/tDicj5KUI5
Nadal hit just 10 winners throughout the course of his contest, and despite winning points off of nine Van de Zandschulp double faults, the 38-year-old's career drew to a close with a comprehensive defeat.
Nadal cast doubt on whether he would participate in another singles match if Spain managed to turn the tie on its head, which initially appeared to be on the cards as Alcaraz came up trumps in a close tie with Griekspoor.
The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion suffered the first break of the match before immediately replying in the eighth game, and his prowess came to the fore in a perfect 7-0 tie-breaker.
Alcaraz then needed just one break at the start of the second set to level the contest, but he and Granollers were left to lament several missed openings in their doubles showdown, which initially looked set to go the distance.
However, the Spaniards let a 4-2 lead slip in the second set and lost four successive points in the closing tie-breaker to exit the competition, before a visibly emotional Nadal lapped up the Malaga fanfare and listened to tributes from some of sport's most celebrated names.
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray among sporting stars to hail Nadal
© Imago
Novak Djokovic: "Your tenacity, your fighting spirit, the energy that you brought, the power, is something that will be studied and something that will be transferred to many many generations that are coming up. I've been very honoured and thrilled to be called your rival. The tennis world and the sports world will miss the incredible energy that you brought on the court. There is so much to embrace, so much to celebrate."
Roger Federer: "Congratulations on the most incredible career, it was such a privilege to play with you but especially also against you. My favourite memories with you Rafa are of course the 2008 Wimbledon final, where you got me! I wish you all the best for what's to come."
Rodri: "Rafael Nadal, I can't think of anyone else who better represents the values of sport and life. Thank you for filling our hearts with your tennis, with your comebacks."
Iker Casillas: "I want to thank you on behalf of many Spanish people and supporters, because you made us happy so many times, for making us live the sport with passion, for giving us so much joy."
Raul: "The best sportsman in history. Your values on and off the court have inspired my career and my life. The passion that you put into each point. I think your legacy will be eternal."
Serena Williams: "Gosh, in my career you have inspired me to have so many wins to keep going to fight get better, to improve, to basically play like you. My goodness you will be missed."
Andy Murray: "The passion, the intensity that you played with was something that all tennis players aspire to and what all tennis fans will remember you for. It's been incredible watching you. Thanks for everything Rafa, enjoy retirement mate."
Andres Iniesta: "It will go generation after generation, you will be eternal. Many congratulations."
The Netherlands will now take on either Germany or Canada on Friday for a place in the final of the 2024 Davis Cup.
Ben Knapton
