Rafael Nadal:

Auto Draft

Rafael Nadal

(Bild: APA/AFP/Thomas COEX)

Rafael Nadal has won practically everything in his impressive career. 22 Grand Slam titles, 14 French Open titles alone, gold at the Olympics. But when the end of his tennis life suddenly became clear in Malaga, he did not want to be measured by titles and trophies. "The way I want to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca," said Nadal after the Spanish team's elimination from the Davis Cup Finals.

With a clear two-set defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp, Nadal himself had initiated the hosts' surprising 2-1 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup Finals. As a cheering spectator in the stands, he saw his time as an active player come to an end with the defeat of the Spanish doubles team through no fault of his own.

Organizers also surprised
What followed in the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena was unworthy of the historic moment. Tournament director Feliciano Lopez had announced a "very special farewell". But the organizers were obviously not prepared for it to come so quickly.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Thomas COEX)

After a few delays, Nadal had the floor. In a long speech, the Majorcan thanked his family and many companions and summed up: "I am leaving with the certainty that I have left behind a sporting and personal legacy that I can be proud of. I was lucky enough to receive so much affection from all over the world, especially here in Spain." His wife Maria and his two-year-old son Rafael watched the words with emotion in the stands.

Nadal was able to suppress his tears for a long time during the initially surprisingly emotionless tribute. But when messages from Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic and Spanish soccer stars such as Andrés Iniesta or Raúl were shown on the video cube, the tears began to flow. "It was a great honor to play with and against you," said Nadal's long-time opponent and current friend Federer. "The passion and your intensity were something that inspired so many players," said Andy Murray.

Modest even in his farewell
Nadal will be remembered above all for his impeccable character and modesty. "I tried to be a good person and I hope you noticed that," said the former star in Malaga. "I was a kid who pursued his dream and who achieved more than I could have ever dreamed of." 22 Grand Slam titles, 14 French Open titles alone, two Olympic gold medals, five Davis Cup and 36 Masters 1000 titles are impressive testimony to this.

"Gracias", was the headline on page one of the sports newspaper "Marca" on Wednesday. And "Mundo Deportivo" wrote: "His legacy remains, regardless of Malaga. Thank you, Rafa. Forever and ever. (...) He leaves behind an indelible legacy." The 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams also agreed with this on Instagram. "Your legacy will never die. Watching your career from the beginning to today has been an honor, champion! Long live Rafa!"

Paris 2022 as his last major triumph
In sporting terms, Nadal had basically said goodbye quite a while ago. His last highlight was winning the French Open in 2022, the last time he pushed his body to its limits in his tennis living room. This 22nd Grand Slam title would actually have been the perfect time for Nadal to end his career. But his love of tennis was still too great in June 2022 to let go of the racket.

Nadal repeatedly struggled through rehab after injuries. Even now, he had tried everything once again at his academy on Mallorca to get himself in shape for the final act of his career.

Not a perfect farewell
But the physical strains of a 22-year career could simply no longer be concealed in his last match. "My body has told me that it doesn't want to play tennis anymore and I have to accept that," said Nadal. He played his last official match against Djokovic at the Olympics in Paris at the end of July. Even then, he was no longer an equal opponent.

There is no perfect farewell, Nadal, who won 1,080 matches in his career, had said recently. And that proved to be true on Tuesday. "In a way, maybe it's good if that was my last match, because I lost my first match in the Davis Cup and I lost my last. So the circle is complete," Nadal said philosophically after his defeat. However, the former clay court king would have deserved a somewhat more dignified setting.