Rafael Nadal said goodbye to professional tennis at the end of November, playing the last official event of his career at the Davis Cup Finals. Everyone hoped that Spain’s run in Malaga would be longer, but instead it ended already in the quarter-finals against Netherlands due to some wrong choices.
Captain David Ferrer decided to field the 22-time Grand Slam champion in singles and his choice turned out to be wrong, because the former world number 1 did not have a sufficiently competitive level to bring the point to Spain.
Although he gave his all as always in his career, the 14-time French Open champion had to surrender to Botic van de Zandschulp and that defeat was decisive for the elimination of Spain.
Spain’s shocking loss to Netherlands surprised even the organizers of the Davis Cup Finals, who were not ready to stage the farewell ceremony in Rafa’s honor so soon. The arrival of many VIPs and players – including Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – was scheduled for the Friday of the semifinals and their absence made the ceremony quite disappointing.
Feliciano Lopez received a lot of criticism for the way that farewell ceremony was organized, even from some members of Nadal’s team such as Carlos Moya and Uncle Toni. However, this sad last dance does not affect the legacy of one of the best athletes of the modern era in the slightest.
The former Spanish champion has achieved many feats throughout his career and his ability to play every point as if it were the last of his life has electrified fans in every corner of the world. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has become a very competitive player on all surfaces and has shown that it is never too late to improve.
Cash pays tribute to Nadal
During a long interview with ‘Tennis Majors’, ATP legend Pat Cash 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 enjoyed every moment of his outstanding career and has no regrets, although injuries have put a lot of stress on his body and forced him to miss several major tournaments.
All fans would have liked Rafa’s career to continue next year and the Spanish legend had thought of playing some tournaments in 2025. However, the 2024 season has provided Nadal with some very clear answers. The former world number 1 is no longer competitive at the highest level and cannot hope to win other major titles, unlike his great rival Novak Djokovic.
Rafa has tried to test his condition in recent months, but his results have not been satisfactory. It is likely that he decided to retire after premature eliminations at the French Open and the Paris Olympics, in which he suffered a new injury.
His iconic rivalries with Federer and Djokovic
His iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Nole Djokovic made his career even more special, although they prevented him from winning more. His two greatest rivals were not present in Malaga, but they both dedicated a beautiful tribute to him that will remain forever in Rafa’s heart. The Spanish legend has always maintained an excellent relationship with both and mutual respect has never been lacking despite the clashes on court.
A few days ago, Djokovic also revealed his favorite 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 last chapter in their rivalry took place at the Olympic tournament this summer, when Nole defeated Rafa in the second round. The two legends also faced each other at the ‘Six Kings Slam’ last October, but it was only an exhibition match.
