Rafael Nadal says he would like to be remembered as “the kid who followed his dreams” as the tennis great offered a touching farewell to the sport.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s 23-year career came to an end in Malaga on Tuesday night after Spain beat the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
Nadal retires as the second most successful men’s singles player of all time, behind only long-time rival Novak Djokovic.
The 38-year-old said he hoped he would be remembered above all as a “good person”.
“I would like to be remembered as a kid who did more than I ever dreamed,” Nadal said during an on-court presentation.
“In the life I had the opportunity to live, I was very lucky, thanks to tennis I lived unforgettable experiences.
“I was just a kid who followed my dreams and worked as hard as I could to be where I am today.
“Most of all, I would like to be remembered as a good person from a small village in Majorca.”
Nadal’s legacy will be eternal – Alcaraz
In what turned out to be the last match of his illustrious career, Nadal suffered a 6-4 6-4 defeat by Botic Van de Zandschulp in the opening match of the quarter-finals, ending a remarkable 29-match Davis Cup winning streak. singles over 20 years.
Nadal said after the loss: “In some ways, maybe it’s good if it was my last match.
“I lost my first Davis Cup match and I lost my last. We’re coming full circle.”
Carlos Alcaraz kept the hopes of Nadal and the nation alive by beating Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles, saying he “did it for Rafa”.
But the 21-year-old and team-mate Marcel Granollers could not complete a dramatic comeback in the deciding doubles and extend the career of Alcaraz’s idol.
Alcaraz partnered Nadal in the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics this summer and has already proven his potential to succeed Nadal as Spain’s next tennis star by winning four Slams in the last three years.
He then said that Nadal’s “legacy will be eternal”.
“He was great for tennis, for sports in general. It’s hard, at least for me, to feel like I should continue the legacy he left,” Alcaraz said.
“It is difficult, almost impossible. I will try to do my best. Right now is the time to say great things about Rafa.”
Spain captain David Ferrer told Nadal: “There are people who will be remembered for their achievements in life, others until the end of their days and others forever.
“You will be remembered forever.”
“I’m glad I left a message”
Nadal was invited onto the court to address the crowd, while an emotional tribute video was also played with messages from many of his rivals.
“I leave with peace of mind that I have left a legacy that I really feel is not only sporting but also personal,” Nadal said.
“I understand that the love I received, if it was only for what happened on the field, it would not be the same.”
Nadal achieved his 22 major titles during the ‘Big Three’ era, in which he rivaled fellow greats Djokovic and Roger Federer for the sport’s top prizes – and his two biggest rivals were among those keen to pay tribute to Nadal’s career.
Federer, who famously cried alongside Nadal when he retired in 2022, said in an Instagram post that Nadal had “made the whole tennis world proud” during his “epic career”.
Djokovic, meanwhile, was among those who left a video message for Nadal: “I was very honored and excited to be called your rival.”
Britain’s Andy Murray said: “The passion and intensity with which you played was something I think all tennis players aspire to and all tennis fans will remember you for. It was incredible to watch you.”
American great Serena Williams posted on Instagram: “Congratulations on a career most don’t dare dream of. Your legacy will never die.”
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