Two decades after debuting for his country in 2004, Rafael Nadal will call it a career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week. The 22-time Major winner arrived in Malaga on Thursday, hitting the practice court alongside his coach, Carlos Moya, and the Spanish Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer.

Nadal gave everything to recover his form following a severe hip injury at last year’s Australian Open. He played 19 singles matches this season, reaching one final but struggling to chase notable titles. At 38, Rafa decided to terminate his incredible tennis journey after 23 years on the professional circuit.

Nadal’s setback and one last push

Rafa earned two Major titles in the first half of 2022, looking good in the GOAT race against Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. However, he injured his abdominal musles at Wimbledon and struggled for the rest of the year, finishing 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz.

To make things even worse, the Spaniard suffered a severe hip injury against Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open. He underwent a surgery and missed the rest of the year, experiencing the most extended break of his career. Nadal worked hard in the second part of the year and returned to action in the first week of 2024 in Brisbane.

Nadal wasted three match points against Jordan Thompson, falling after three and a half hours. The veteran missed the Australian Open after feeling the pain around his hip and injured abdominal muscles again in February. Missing over three months, Rafa restarted his journey in Barcelona.

The king of clay scored five wins in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, struggling to compete at his old level. The Spaniard traveled to Paris and entered his beloved Roland Garros for the 18th and final time. Without luck in the draw, Rafa faced Alexander Zverev in the first round and suffered a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 defeat, his earliest at the beloved Major.

Nadal did not compete on grass, throwing everything at his last Olympic Games in Paris. Before, he returned to Bastad for the first time in 19 years and passed a couple of tough obstacles, stopping the clock and reaching his first ATP final in over two years.

The veteran lost steam and fell to Nuno Borges in straight sets, finishing runner-up and returning to Paris with the pain in his right thigh. Rafa passed Marton Fucsovics in the first round of the Olympic Games, arranging his 60th duel against Novak Djokovic. The Serb was the favorite, and he defeated his great rival 6-1, 6-4.

Nadal struggled and trailed 6-1, 4-0 before performing a comeback. He pulled two break backs with some fine hitting, giving the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier something to cheer about. However, Djokovic broke again in the ninth game and sealed the deal on his serve.

Rafa skipped the US Open and the Laver Cup before announcing his retirement, deciding to terminate his incredible career after giving everything to our sport. Nadal has been working hard to raise his level and get ready for Spain’s first clash against the Netherlands on Novermber 19.