Legendary tennis player, Rafael Nadal, played his final match Tuesday in Málaga during the Davis Cup Finals with Team Spain. The 38-year-old announced his retirement last month, bringing an extraordinary 23-year career to a close.
Nadal ends his journey with a remarkable 92 titles, including 22 Grand Slam victories. Known as the “King of Clay,” he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history, dominating the sport for two decades.
His career milestones include 14 French Open titles, four US Open wins, two Wimbledon championships, two Australian Open crowns, two Olympic gold medals, and five Davis Cup triumphs.
The Málaga match offered a symbolic conclusion. Nadal reflected on his beginnings, recalling Spain’s 2004 Davis Cup victory in Sevilla, where he first showcased his talent on the global stage. “It feels like closing the circle,” he said in his October retirement announcement video.
During a press conference ahead of Spain’s quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands, Nadal said he was grateful for his two decades in the competition. “I’ve seen so many generations come and go,” he said.
Though Spain’s early exit wasn’t his dream ending, he remained grateful for his journey. “I feel so lucky,” Nadal told the crowd during a tribute ceremony in Malaga. Fans, including Dutch spectators, rose to applaud him in a standing ovation.
Tributes poured in from around the tennis world. Canadian player Denis Shapovalov, who was six years old when Nadal won his first French Open in 2005, called him an inspiration. “What he achieved as a tennis player and an athlete is just incredible,” Shapovalov said.
Argentine captain Guillermo Coria, who lost three finals to Nadal in 2005, described the week as “special for the entire tennis community.” Roger Federer, Nadal’s historic rival, also paid his respects, tweeting on X (formerly Twitter), “Rafa made the tennis world proud.”
Twenty years after becoming the youngest Davis Cup winner in history, Rafael Nadal exits the sport as one of its all-time greats.