Rafael Nadal’s last dance was below expectations. Fans around the world were hoping that Spain could win the Davis Cup Finals, thanks in part to the relentless support of the crowd in Malaga. Almost no one could have imagined that the run of the local idols would end already in the quarter-finals against Netherlands, who got all the choices right and qualified for the semi-finals.

The decision to use Rafa in singles did not produce a positive result, indeed that choice was decisive for the elimination of Spain. Despite practicing very well in the weeks leading up to the event, the 22-time Grand Slam champion failed to play his best tennis against Botic van de Zandschulp and was defeated in straight sets.

Carlos Alcaraz’s win took the tie to the decisive doubles, where the Dutch pair was more solid in the decisive moments prevailing in two tiebreaks. Nadal’s career ended at the age of 38 and the whole world of sport paid him a beautiful tribute. According to many fans and insiders, the former world number 1 deserved a better ending. Captain David Ferrer probably made the wrong choice, as it would have been better to use Rafa’s experience in doubles with his compatriot Marcel Granollers.

An unexpected scenario

At the end of the tie between Spain and Netherlands in Malaga, a beautiful ceremony was dedicated to the 14-time French Open champion. Many athletes from all sports sent a message to Rafa via video and the Spaniard was visibly emotional.

However, many fans wondered why Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were not present in Malaga. The Serbian legend and the former Scottish champion had promised that they would pay tribute to Nadal on the spot, while the presence of the Swiss was uncertain.

The truth is that no one expected that Spain would be eliminated as early as Tuesday and the organizers were not ready for this eventuality. The arrival of Djokovic, Murray and Federer in Malaga was scheduled for Friday, the day of the semifinals. This last dance was a bit sad, but it does not affect the greatness of one of the best athletes ever. Everyone would have liked a better ending to his career, but professional sport is not a movie.

His uncle Toni, who accompanied him for most of his career, was not even in Malaga. Toni had a series of commitments that he could not procrastinate, but he wanted to comment on his nephew’s farewell ceremony.

“It was certainly emotional with the crowd’s support” – Toni said in an interview with ‘Radio SER’.

“I like to see images in these events, I would have liked to see images of Rafael winning the Davis Cup in Seville, of Rafael at the Madrid tournament, at Roland Garros or Wimbledon, because this creates more emotion.

I’m not trying to criticise anyone. I would have preferred something different, more in line with his career. I appreciate the gesture they had as a family member and former coach of Rafael, and the good intentions, but afterwards, I would have liked something else.

Nowadays, much more emotional events can be organized by mixing music with images, and Rafael is a person whose images convey passion and emotion. If they had done this, it would have been more fitting” – he added.

Annacone on Rafa’s performance

The former world No. 1 had not wanted to receive any tribute at the French Open this year, because he had not ruled out being able to play another edition of the tournament in 2025. However – as the months went by – Nadal realized that he would no longer be competitive again at the highest level and that it made no sense to go on. The 14-time French Open champion had not played a single match in indoor conditions in the last two years, an aspect that played its part in the match against van de Zandschulp.

Speaking with Tennis Channel, top coach Paul Annacone discussed Rafa’s performance: “It was really tough if you haven’t played a bunch of matches to come out in this scenario on your least favorite surface against a guy that can play this offensive and take the racket out of your hand. We know what Rafa does when he hasn’t played a ton of matches. He hits the ball a little short, gets a bit spiny, and this is a guy who can take advantage of it and did.

He played better from the middle of the set on, did Van De Zandschulp. We saw some really nice glimpses of Rafa, when he was down two breaks does he go away? Heck no guys.”