MALAGA, Spain — Rafael Nadal's career came to an emotional end on Tuesday (Nov 19) in the Davis Cup, as the 22-time Grand Slam champion was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp in his final competitive match. The 38-year-old’s body and mind remained as determined as ever, but the magic that defined his career was absent.

Nadal's defeat left Spain needing a win from Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers in the doubles to keep the hopes of a semi-final alive. While Alcaraz had leveled the quarter-final tie with a 7-6(0), 6-3 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, the Dutch duo of Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp secured a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) win, ending Spain’s chance at advancing.

Nadal, who had been a key part of four Davis Cup-winning teams for Spain, stood by the sidelines, visibly upset as the reality of his retirement settled in. He became emotional during the anthem and in his farewell speech to fans, family, and teammates. “I was just a kid from a small village, lucky to have a supportive family and an uncle who was a tennis coach,” Nadal reflected, adding that he wanted to be remembered as a good person who followed his dreams.

Nadal’s career was remarkable, with only one Davis Cup singles loss in his 30 appearances. He had previously announced that his final tournament would be the Davis Cup Final Eight, raising hopes for one last triumph in his legendary career. Despite flashes of his former brilliance, Nadal was unable to overcome van de Zandschulp in what was only his 24th match since the start of 2023.

Alcaraz, after leveling the tie, dedicated his win to Nadal but could not inspire a Spanish victory in the doubles. Nadal was philosophical about his loss, acknowledging the symmetry in closing the circle of his career with a defeat that mirrored his first Davis Cup loss in 2004.

In a heartwarming moment, fans in Malaga, many wearing "Gracias Rafa" scarves, applauded him well past midnight. Nadal's final match lacked only the presence of his close friend and rival, Roger Federer, who had previously retired in 2022. Federer, who had shared an emotional farewell with Nadal at the Laver Cup, wrote a heartfelt letter to his longtime rival, acknowledging Nadal’s dominance over him and the unique challenges he posed.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters