On an emotional night in Malaga, Rafael Nadal ended his career with a loss in the Davis Cup, failing to have the fairytale finish that his career deserved.
The 38-year-old athlete lost against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4 in his final competitive match in the sport.
Following a lengthy on-court speech in front of his devoted followers, family, friends, and teammates after the match, a video montage of his incredible career was shown which made the athlete emotional.
Nadal said: “I was just a kid from a small village that had luck because my uncle was a tennis coach and had a family who supported me.”
He added: “A lot of people work hard but I am one of the lucky ones that life gave me the opportunity to live unforgettable experiences because of tennis. I just want to be remembered as a good person and a kid that followed their dreams.”
His announcement last month that he was retiring from the Davis Cup Final Eight raised the possibility of a final addition to his record of 14 French Open titles. With this defeat, Nadal said: “In some ways it is good, maybe, if that was my last match because I lost my first match in the Davis Cup and I lost my last one. We close the circle.”
Many of Nadal’s supporters, the majority wearing scarves with the words “Gracias Rafa” printed on them, stood to applaud him in a tribute to a great athlete.
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Source: CNA