End of an era: “Gracias”: Nadal’s great career ends as a spectator

When Rafael Nadal’s long-awaited end to his career was announced shortly after midnight, everyone was somehow surprised. While the Dutch danced across Center Court to the sounds of “Viva Hollandia”, the Spanish tennis legend sat on a chair in the circle of his teammates with a stone-faced expression. It felt like an eternity before the farewell ceremony began at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena.

With a clear two-set defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp, Nadal (38) initiated the surprising 1-2 defeat against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup finals. As a cheering spectator, he finally saw in the stands how his time as an active player came to an end with the defeat of the Spanish double, through no fault of his own.

Organizers also surprised

It was a somewhat strange, even undignified conclusion for one of the greatest tennis players in history. Tournament director Feliciano Lopez had announced a “very special farewell for this very special athlete and person” in advance. But the organizers were apparently not prepared for the fact that Nadal’s end would be clear after the Spaniards’ first game in Malaga.

Nadal has won virtually everything in his impressive career. 22 Grand Slam titles, the French Open alone 14 times, gold at the Olympics. But when the end of his tennis life suddenly came, he didn’t 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,” Nadal said.

Video messages lead to tears

In a long speech, the Mallorcan thanked his family and many companions. His wife Maria and his two-year-old son Rafael listened to the words in the stands with emotion. For a long time, Nadal was able to hold back tears during the initially surprisingly emotionless honor.

But when messages from old rivals like Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic and Spanish soccer stars like Andrés Iniesta or Raúl were shown on the video cube, tears flowed. “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 was something that inspired so many players,” said Andy Murray, who himself retired in the summer.

Modest even in farewell

Like the Briton, Nadal will be remembered above all for his impeccable character and his modesty. He also proved this at the hour of his departure. “A lot of people work hard. A lot of people try their best every single day. I was very lucky. I was a child who followed his dream and who achieved more than I ever imagined,” said Nadal, becoming a final one Cheered by his fans.

“Gracias,” was the headline of the sports newspaper “Marca” hundreds of times on page one on Wednesday. “Rafa was many things: a person of flesh and blood, approachable and human (…). He was unique. He was Rafa.” And “Munde deportivo” wrote: “His legacy remains regardless of (the result in) Malaga. Thank you, Rafa. Forever and ever. (…) He leaves an indelible legacy.”

Paris 2022 as a perfect ending

Nadal basically said goodbye to sports a while ago. His last highlight was winning the French Open 2022. He pushed his body to its limits one last time in his tennis living room – and beyond. He played with a numb foot for two weeks, only to triumph again at the Stade Roland Garros.

Actually, this 22nd Grand Slam title would have been the perfect time for Nadal to end his career. But in June 2022, the love for tennis was still too great to put the racket down. Nadal repeatedly struggled through rehab after injuries. In the past few weeks he had once again tried everything at his academy in Mallorca to get himself in shape for the final act of his career.

Body no longer cooperates

But the physical strain of a 22-year career could no longer be concealed in his last game. He played his last official match at the Olympic Games in Paris at the end of July against the Serbian Djokovic. Even then he was no longer an equal opponent.

There is no such thing as a perfect farewell, Nadal, who has won 1,080 matches in his career, said before the Davis Cup finals. “The film endings are for American films. I realized a long time ago that I wasn’t going to have one like that.” But one of the greatest tennis players in history would have deserved a more dignified setting.