‘Just a kid who followed their dreams’ – Nadal on career

Rafael Nadal says he would like to be remembered as “a boy who followed his dreams” as the tennis great bid a poignant farewell to the sport.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s 23-year career came to an end in Malaga on Tuesday night after Spain was defeated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Nadal retires as the second most successful men’s singles player of all time, behind only his old rival Novak Djokovic.

The 38-year-old said he hoped to be remembered primarily as “a good person.”

“I would like to be remembered as a boy who achieved more than I ever dreamed of,” Nadal said during an on-court presentation.

“I have been very lucky in the life that I have had the opportunity to live, I have lived unforgettable experiences thanks to tennis.

“I was just a kid who followed his dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.

“What I would like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small town in Mallorca.”

Nadal’s legacy will be eternal – Alcaraz

In what turned out to be the last match of his remarkable career, Nadal suffered a 6-4 6-4 loss to Botic Van de Zandschulp in the opening match of their quarter-final tie, ending a remarkable streak of 29 consecutive victories in the Davis Cup. Individual matches for 20 years.

Speaking after his defeat, Nadal said: “In a way it would be nice, maybe, if that was my last match.

“I lost my first Davis Cup match and I lost my last one. We came full circle.”

Carlos Alcaraz kept Nadal’s and the nation’s hopes alive by beating Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles match, saying he “did it for Rafa.”

But the 21-year-old and his teammate Marcel Granollers were unable to complete a spectacular comeback in the decisive doubles match and prolong the career of the Alcaraz idol.

Alcaraz partnered Nadal in men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics in the summer and has already shown his potential to succeed Nadal as Spain’s next men’s tennis star by winning four Slams in the last three years.

He later said that Nadal’s “legacy is going to be eternal.”

“He has been great for tennis, for sport in general. It is difficult, at least for me, to feel that I should continue the legacy that he has left,” said Alcaraz.

“It’s difficult, almost impossible. I’ll try to do the best I can. Now is the time to say good things about Rafa.”

Spain captain David Ferrer told Nadal: “There are people who will be remembered for their achievements in life, others until the end of their days and others forever.

“You will be remembered forever.”

‘I have the peace of mind of having left a legacy’

Nadal was invited onto the court to address the crowd, while an emotional tribute video was also played with messages from many of his rivals.

“I leave with the peace of mind of having left a legacy, which I really feel is not only sporting but personal,” Nadal said.

“I understand that the love I have received, if it were only for what happened on the field, would not be the same.”

Nadal achieved his 22 major titles during the ‘Big Three’ era in which he competed with fellow greats Djokovic and Roger Federer for the sport’s biggest prizes, and his two biggest rivals were among those keen to pay tribute to Nadal’s career.

Federer, who cried alongside Nadal when he retired in 2022, said Nadal had “he made the entire tennis world proud” during his “epic career” in a post on Instagram.

Djokovic, meanwhile, was among those who left a video message for Nadal, saying: “I feel very honored and excited to be called your rival.”

Britain’s Andy Murray said: “The passion and intensity with which you played is something that I think all tennis players aspire to, and that all tennis fans will remember you by. It’s been incredible to watch.”

American great Serena Williams posted on Instagram: “Congratulations on a career most will not dare to dream of. Your legacy will never die.”