For the primary time in virtually 35 years, Rafael Nadal doesn’t have to consider day by day tennis duties anymore! On Tuesday, the 22-time Main winner ended his unimaginable profession on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Rafa confronted Botic van de Zandschulp and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss, calling it a profession after 23 years.
Rafa returned to Mallorca on Wednesday, saying his retirement with a giant smile on his face. By no means dreaming about attaining a lot between 2005 and 2022, the Spaniard closed an vital chapter of his life. At 38, he’ll concentrate on his household and tennis Academy whereas sharing his information with the upcoming stars.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
Nadal’s post-retirement life
By ending his profession, Rafa has opened new chapters of his life, abandoning relentless calls for {of professional} tennis. For almost three a long time, the legend had to consider rigorous observe schedules and grueling journey itineraries whereas feeling fixed strain to carry out effectively each time.
Retirement presents a profound way of life shift, and the 22-time Main winner can now embrace extra relaxed routine. For the primary time, Nadal has freedom to spend uninterrupted time together with his household, get pleasure from private hobbies and easy pleasures of life. He can even prioritize his well being with out the urgency of restoration.
Rafa will keep related with tennis via his Academy, inspiring future generations and lengthening his unimaginable tennis legacy.
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) November 20, 2024 Rafa’s ultimate tennis chapter
Nadal claimed two Main titles within the first half of 2022. As an alternative of chasing the ATP throne at 36, he skilled accidents and by no means recovered his finest tennis. The Spaniard injured his left hip ultimately 12 months’s Australian Open, present process surgical procedure and lacking the remainder of the 12 months.
The legend returned within the first week of 2024 and embraced 20 singles duels this 12 months. He claimed 12 wins however couldn’t play aggressive tennis on probably the most notable scene, particularly in Paris. Rafa fell to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros and suffered a loss to Novak Djokovic on the Olympic Video games.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Nadal introduced his retirement in October, citing the Davis Cup Finals because the final occasion of his profession. Rafa stepped in for Spain towards the Netherlands and confronted Botic van de Zandschulp. The house favourite suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat in an hour and 52 minutes.
Rafa couldn’t shift his constructive coaching vibes to the official match. He suffered three breaks and stole the rival’s serve as soon as, ending his profession with solely his second Davis Cup singles defeat. Van de Zandschulp carried out higher behind the primary serve. He earned consecutive breaks and managed the tempo.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The servers performed effectively initially of the duel, offering eight holds and locking the consequence at 4-4. The Dutchman landed a smash winner within the eighth recreation and made a push within the subsequent one. Botic created a break probability within the ninth recreation and transformed it with a cracking backhand crosscourt winner.
The higher-ranked participant served for the opener at 5-4 and transformed a set level with a service winner, constructing the benefit after 46 minutes. The veteran did not convert a recreation level initially of the second set. He suffered the second straight break, pushing his rival nearer to the highest.
Carlos Alcaraz & Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Nadal survived deuces on serve within the third recreation, closing it and lowering the deficit. Van de Zandschulp grabbed the fourth recreation and made one other push on the return a couple of minutes later. The Dutchman seized the second break level with a forehand crosscourt winner, forging a 4-1 benefit.
Carried by the partisan crowd, Rafa lastly made a push on the return within the sixth recreation. He pulled one break again and gained a lift earlier than struggling behind the preliminary shot once more at 2-4. He hit double faults and confronted a break level. The legend denied it with a smash winner and held for 3-4.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Nadal claimed the opening two factors of the eighth recreation, in search of one other break and a comeback. Nevertheless, Botic discovered his first serve and claimed 4 straight factors for a maintain and a 5-3 lead. Rafa served to delay the match in recreation 9 and landed three service winners.
He wanted a high quality efficiency on the return within the tenth recreation to remain in competition. Nonetheless, Botic fired a service winner at 30-30 for a match level and transformed it with a compelled error, scoring a notable victory and ending Nadal’s profession.
