Rafael Nadal of Spain shed tears as he waved during a tribute to his illustrious career following the quarter-final doubles match between the Netherlands and Spain at the Davis Cup Finals held at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, on November 19, 2024. The legendary tennis player concluded his remarkable professional journey on this day, as the Netherlands eliminated Spain with a score of 2-1, advancing to the semi-finals. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
In his retirement speech at the Davis Cup, Nadal expressed that he has left behind both a sporting and personal legacy. The 38-year-old lost in the opening singles match of the quarter-finals, marking the end of his career as a 22-time Grand Slam champion after 23 years in the sport.
Nadal shared his thoughts with fans in Malaga, stating, “I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I truly feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one. I understand that the love I have received would not be the same if it were solely based on my achievements on the court.”
He acknowledged the numerous individuals who supported him throughout his journey, particularly his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him during his formative years and much of his career. “The titles and numbers are evident, so people probably recognize that, but I would prefer to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal remarked. “I was fortunate to have my uncle, a tennis coach in my village when I was just a little kid, and a wonderful family that supported me at every turn… I simply want to be remembered as a good person, a kid who pursued his dreams and achieved even more than I ever hoped.”
Nadal was honored with a video tribute displayed on multiple screens throughout the Martin Carpena arena, where over 10,000 fans witnessed the conclusion of his career. Messages from former rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, and other tennis legends were included in the video, along with tributes from former Spanish football stars like Raul and Andres Iniesta, who also retired recently.
In his heartfelt address, Nadal reflected, “I leave the world of professional tennis having made many good friends along the way.” He expressed his desire to be a “good ambassador” for tennis in the future and conveyed his readiness for retirement. “I am at peace because I have been educated to face what lies ahead,” he explained. “I am surrounded by a great family that supports me in everything I need every day.”
