Rafael Nadal mentioned goodbye to skilled tennis on the finish of November, enjoying the final official occasion of his profession on the Davis Cup Finals. Everybody hoped that Spain’s run in Malaga can be longer, however as a substitute it ended already within the quarter-finals towards Netherlands because of some mistaken decisions.
Captain David Ferrer determined to subject the 22-time Grand Slam champion in singles and his selection turned out to be mistaken, as a result of the previous world number one didn’t have a sufficiently aggressive stage to convey the purpose to Spain.
Though he gave his all as at all times in his profession, the 14-time French Open champion needed to give up to Botic van de Zandschulp and that defeat was decisive for the elimination of Spain.
Rafael Nadal© Tenis Espana/Instagram – Truthful Use
Spain’s surprising loss to Netherlands shocked even the organizers of the Davis Cup Finals, who weren’t able to stage the farewell ceremony in Rafa’s honor so quickly. The arrival of many VIPs and gamers – together with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – was scheduled for the Friday of the semifinals and their absence made the ceremony fairly disappointing.
Feliciano Lopez acquired plenty of criticism for the best way that farewell ceremony was organized, even from some members of Nadal’s staff akin to Carlos Moya and Uncle Toni. Nonetheless, this unhappy final dance doesn’t have an effect on the legacy of among the finest athletes of the trendy period within the slightest.
The previous Spanish champion has achieved many feats all through his profession and his means to play each level as if it have been the final of his life has electrified followers in each nook of the world. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has turn into a really aggressive participant on all surfaces and has proven that it’s by no means too late to enhance.
Money pays tribute to Nadal
Throughout a protracted interview with ‘Tennis Majors’, ATP legend Pat Money paid tribute to Nadal: “Nadal has brought something to the game of tennis that we’ve never seen before. I always say that he’s a he’s a turbo charged Guillermo Vilas.”
The Australian continued: “He’s very, very special. I’ve always said that if I had one person to play for my life, one match somewhere, it would be Nadal. Because if an alien came down from outer space and said, ‘OK, I know how to play tennis. I’ll beat anyone, give me your best’, you’d throw Nadal out there. Go on, handle his slice serve, try to handle this top spin.
He just plays like nobody else. His competitiveness, ferociousness. Every season was interesting because you’d watch him, you’d go, ‘what’s he changed now? What’s he improved now?’
He just kept doing that. He kept changing his serve, getting it better. Kept doing different tactics, doing this, this and that.
Top players tend to do that. You go, either improve, or you stand still, as they say, and he was great at that.”
The 14-time Grand Slam champion has loved each second of his excellent profession and has no regrets, though accidents have put plenty of stress on his physique and compelled him to overlook a number of main tournaments.
Rafael Nadal, Madrid Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
All followers would have appreciated Rafa’s profession to proceed subsequent yr and the Spanish legend had considered enjoying some tournaments in 2025. Nonetheless, the 2024 season has supplied Nadal with some very clear solutions. The previous world number one is now not aggressive on the highest stage and can’t hope to win different main titles, in contrast to his nice rival Novak Djokovic.
Rafa has tried to check his situation in latest months, however his outcomes haven’t been passable. It’s doubtless that he determined to retire after untimely eliminations on the French Open and the Paris Olympics, wherein he suffered a brand new harm.
His iconic rivalries with Federer and Djokovic
His iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Nole Djokovic made his profession much more particular, though they prevented him from profitable extra. His two biggest rivals weren’t current in Malaga, however they each devoted a phenomenal tribute to him that may stay perpetually in Rafa’s coronary heart. The Spanish legend has at all times maintained a wonderful relationship with each and mutual respect has by no means been missing regardless of the clashes on court docket.
Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic, Miami Masters 2011© Stream screenshot
Just a few days in the past, Djokovic additionally revealed his favourite Nadal’s story: “My best Rafa’s story, privately, was seeing him dance in Colombia when we played an exhibition match together in 2011.
And professionally was when he let me win my first match against him in Roland Garros. Thanks Rafa.”
The final chapter of their rivalry came about on the Olympic event this summer season, when Nole defeated Rafa within the second spherical. The 2 legends additionally confronted one another on the ‘Six Kings Slam’ final October, however it was solely an exhibition match.
