22 Grand Slams, two decades and a legacy for a lifetime Rafael Nadal bids adieu

CHENNAI: It was the 2013 French Open semi-final. A year after Rafael Nadal had to withdraw from the 2012 London Olympics due to a recurring knee injury. He had not played any competitions since going down against Lukas Rosol, world No. 100, in the second round. There was a little hope that he would make a comeback in the Australian Open but he had to miss the event with a stomach virus. So when he entered the season at the Chile Open in early February, it felt like he was way off the standards he had set for himself in the past. After a few titles in some of the tune-up events, the master of clay returned to Paris for the French Open with an air of familiarity and unknown. Familiarity because well, Nadal was back at Roland Garros, his adoptive home. However, given how long it had been between the Slams for him, it felt different. Could he win on his home turf again? It took him four sets to get out of the first round, but from then on it was smooth sailing till the semi-final. For your fighting spirit. For your humility and kindness. For everything youve done for tennis. Gracias, Rafa. pic.twitter.com/tDicj5KUI5 Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024 When he walked out for the clash against Novak Djokovic, the conditions in Paris were especially hot. As if it was the weather's way of foreshadowing what was coming. With his left knee strapped, Nadal drew the first blood as he took the first set. Djokovic was not the one to stand still and take it in. The penultimate point before he took the second set showed how much he was willing to wait to make his point. With the mercury increasing in Paris, the duel was heating up. Nadal took the third, and Djokovic followed it by taking the fourth. Till then, it had been a competition between two individuals who respected each other's game but still did not hesitate to one-up each other. In the final set, Nadal was playing catch-up most of the time. One tiny mistake from the Serb, where he touched the net before the ball was called dead, gave the Spaniard the opportunity to level. That was the time when the world witnessed 'peak Rafa'. A sensational forehand after four hours of play, a beautiful net play to outsmart a tired Djokovic and running like a 15-year-old boy to counterattack followed. And after close to five hours with a sensational crowd behind him, French Open's favourite son was off to another final. Gracias Rafa, for everything #DavisCup #GraciasRafa #Rafa pic.twitter.com/zpoenLcXel Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024 That is what Nadal, the player, was. Paris, known for its delicate art, revolutionary political thoughts and remarkable delicacies, became his own backyard for a few days in the middle of the year. Roland Garros had once said, Victory belongs to the most tenacious. The quote is engraved on the Philippe Chatrier court, the picturesque venue that has witnessed all of Nadal's 14 titles on clay. Those are the best ones to describe him not just in Paris but in general. Such was his character on the field that he was not going to let go of things easily. He was a fighter. A philosopher-fighter at that who was happy with what he got. He was often asked about not having the most number of Grand Slams and from his answers one could tell that did not bother him at all. He has always maintained that someone was always going to have a bigger house than his. You can't keep being miserable over that. Be happy with the house you've built. But that never meant being complacent or giving up. He was happy because he knew he had given it his all. He was at peace because he knew he had given it everything he had in him. So now he doesn't have to look back and say if only 'I had tried harder'. Cause there's nothing more he could have done. That is why he has always been satisfied with the result. And that's how we'll always remember you, Rafa #DavisCup #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/XWEGT35anq Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024 A few years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, a Broadway musical, based on the life and times of America's first Secretary of the Treasury, made waves across the world. In the middle of Act 2, there is a scene where President George Washington pours his heart in front of Alexander Hamilton about taking retirement from the public eye and not running for office for the second time. Like the scripture says: Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree And no one shall make them afraid. Theyll be safe in the nation weve made I wanna sit under my own vine and fig tree A moment alone in the shade At home in this nation, weve made. Rafael Nadal Parera was not the first Spanish player to pick the tennis racquet and hit the ball across the court. He certainly won't be the last one. Now, he is getting the chance to sit under his own vine and fig tree and reflect. All throughout his career, he was content with what he was able to achieve. At the Davis Cup in Malaga, for one last time, he waved at his home crowd with tears in his eyes. With his friends, family and fellow countrymen around him, the final act was done. With a legacy to last a lifetime, Rafa Nadal is now going home.

An emotional Rafael Nadal retires at the Davis Cup after he loses and Spain is eliminated

MALAGA: Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain's national anthem Tuesday before what he and everyone knew might be the last match of his career. Hours after Nadal's 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands was over, the evening did turn out to represent the 22-time Grand Slam champion's farewell to professional tennis, because the Dutch eliminated the Spaniards in the quarterfinals just after midnight. And it was during an on-court, post-match ceremony to honor Nadal that he cried and cried, at the singsong chorus of Raaa-faaa from the spectators, at the video showing highlights from his more than two decades on tour and the collection of recorded tributes from current or former players such as his 'Big Three' rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez and Andy Murray, and stars from other sports such as golf's Sergio Garcia or soccer's David Beckham. The titles, the numbers, are there, so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca, the 38-year-old Nadal told the flag-waving, sign-toting crowd at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible. ... I have been very lucky. He had said beforehand that his feelings would need to be put on hold, that this week was about attempting to claim one last trophy for his country, not about pondering his impending retirement, which he announced last month would come after this event. But he acknowledged after playing that he emotions were difficult to manage, and that he felt nerves out there amid the roars of an adoring audience that mostly showed up for one player and one player only. After Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was beaten on the indoor hard court in southern Spain, he became a cheerleader for his heir apparent, Carlos Alcaraz, who evened the matchup against the Netherlands at 1-all by getting past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 in the other singles match. But then van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched the victory for the Dutch by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in the deciding doubles match. Even if Spain had managed to get past the Netherlands, Nadal said that if he were his team's captain, he wouldn't pick himself to play again in the semifinals after that performance against the 80th-ranked van de Zandschulp. At least he was in a joking mood after the result put a stop to his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles. The only other blemish on his record, which stood at 29-1 entering Tuesday, came in his 2004 debut. I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one, Nadal said with a wide grin. So we close the circle. When a forehand found the net to close his last match, Nadal walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent. That was a tough, tough match to play, said van de Zandschulp, noting that he idolized Nadal while growing up. In certain ways, this was, unmistakably, the Nadal that van de Zandschulp and so many others can remember. The white headband, marked with the red bull logo Nadal made famous. The white tape wrapped around all four of his left, racket-holding fingers. The water bottles by his sideline bench, placed just so. There was the occasional ace right on a line. The occasional serve-and-volley foray. The occasional over-the-shoulder putaway. And, yes, the occasional uppercut and scream of Vamos! There also were neither to Nadal's or most of the 9,200 spectators' liking several points where he looked like a once-dominant figure diminished by age and injuries. Nadal was just not able to bring his best, no matter how many chants of Ra-fa! or Espaa! or Si, se puede! (Yes, you can!) broke out, no matter how many scarves reading Gracias, Rafa! or red-and-yellow Spanish flags of all sizes filled the arena. This version of Nadal had hip issues, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined to limit him to only 24 matches over the past two years. He went 12-8 in singles in 2024. The match against van de Zandschulp who upset Alcaraz at the U.S. Open was Nadal's first outing that counted since early August at the Paris Olympics. He lost there in the second round of singles to Djokovic and bowed out in the doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz. Nadal and Alcaraz practiced with each other hours before the start of play. The day, much like the entire Davis Cup leadup, was largely about memories of, and praise for, Nadal. You know very well what you have meant to the tennis world, said Spain's captain, David Ferrer, who lost to Nadal in the 2013 French Open final. We will miss you a lot. Nadal's appeal was found in how he played tennis, relentless and striking each shot as if it might be his last, and the humility he displayed away from competition. No one cared for him as much as his fellow Spaniards. He is a national hero, transcending sports, and that was clear from the love expressed over and over via shouts and standing ovations when Nadal entered the court, when he won a point, when his match ended, and so on. When we heard the news that Rafa was retiring, this really became something special a chance to see the greatest sportsman in the country's history, said Luis Julve, a 19-year-old college student who made the trip from Madrid with his mother and aunt. When the matches, the ceremony, the night and his career were over, Nadal hugged his teammates and left the court, pausing to wave goodbye to his fans one last time. The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment, Nadal said. I'm not tired of playing tennis, but it's my body that doesn't want to play anymore, so I have to accept the situation. Honestly, I feel super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby, and for having played for much longer than I could ever have imagined. Roger Federer tells friend and rival Rafael Nadal that he made him enjoy tennis more

Roger Federer hails historic Rafael Nadal ahead of imminent retirement

Retired Swiss star Federer and Nadal faced each other 14 times at Grand Slam tournaments with Nadal holding a 6-3 advantage in finals.

'Not here for retiring': Nadal insists focus on Davis Cup

Mlaga: Rafael Nadal hopes to save his emotions over his retirement until the end of the Davis Cup competition and says the focus remains on Spain's upcoming quarter-final tie against the Netherlands. Ahead of the final professional tournament of his career, Nadal and his Spanish teammates spoke to the media in anticipation of the hosts' clash against the Dutch in Malaga on Tuesday. I am not here for retiring. I'm here to try to help the team, Nadal said on Monday It's of course going to be my last week on the professional tour, but at the end, we are here in a teams competition. The most important thing here is to stay all focused on what we have to do, that is play tennis and to do it very well. Because the rival is going to be difficult, and the conditions are difficult too. So then the emotions are going to be for the end. Nadal, who will draw the curtains on a record-breaking career that has spanned nearly 23 years, has not competed in an official singles match since his second-round exit at the Olympics in July. The former world number one has worked hard for the past six weeks to be ready for the Davis Cup but said it will ultimately be the decision of Spain captain David Ferrer on whether he will be playing in singles or doubles against the Netherlands. Of course when you are not competing very often, it's a little bit more difficult to hold the level on a constant basis, I've had good moments and more difficult moments. I think the improvement is there every day, but, I mean, we have a great team on Spain, said Nadal. All these players on the tour are playing very well, having great seasons. It's the work of the captain to decide what he feels is better for the team. Ferrer mum on Nadal status Ferrer says he hasn't decided on his lineup for the quarter-finals and will reveal his selections on Tuesday ahead of the tie. Nadal, who owns a 29-1 win-loss record in Davis Cup singles matches and an 8-4 record in doubles, has not competed in the inter-nation team competition since 2019, when he helped Spain win a sixth Davis Cup title. He is joined by reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, and Marcel Granollers on Spain's squad this week. Nadal's body has been ravaged by injuries throughout his career, but particularly during the past two years, which has led him to make the decision to hang up his racquet, admitting he is unable to sustain a competitive level on tour. I achieved the most important thing for me, because I arrived to this day and I am in peace that I gave all that I had, said Nadal. I'm going to leave this professional tour with the calm and with the personal satisfaction that I gave my best almost in every single moment. Nadal said he is ot worried about the next chapter of his life and that he must accept the process of experiencing this significant change. Novak Djokovic, Nadal's fiercest rival, has said he plans on being in Malaga for the Spaniard's final tournament. Asked if Roger Federer will be making an appearance, Nadal said: I didn't talk to Roger. I think Roger has a busy schedule. This is going to be my last week on the professional tour, but I don't think it's going to be my last goodbye. So there's going to be other chances to do something. After long fight for glory, Nadal leaves with a legacy of memories

After long fight for glory, Nadal leaves with a legacy of memories

Mlaga: Rafael Nadal was the King of Clay who also reigned on every other surface as he accumulated 22 Grand Slam titles while his even-keeled and humble demeanour, on and off the court, endeared him to rivals and legions of fans. One of his defining qualities was the astonishing ability to tough out marathon wins, but he clearly enjoyed playing and competing and showed humility in victory and poise in defeat. The important legacy is that all the people I have met during these 20 years have a good human memory of me, said the 38-year-old Spanish superstar who will retire from tennis at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this week. At the end of the day, the personal issue, education, respect and the affection you can treat people with comes before the professional issue, because that is what remains. Nadal was born on the island of Mallorca in June 1986. His father Sebastian was a businessman, his mother Ana gave up working to raise her children. One of his uncles, Miguel Angel Nadal, played professional football for Barcelona, although Rafa grew up to be a Real Madrid fan. As a child, Nadal played football in the streets of his hometown of Manacor, before focusing on tennis under the coaching of another uncle, Toni Nadal, who guided his career from 2005 to 2017. 'Super-ambitious' Nadal's ferocious left-hand top-spin forehand was to become his trademark shot while his uncle's focus on attitude shaped the player and the man. When I was young my uncle said to me, if you throw your racquet I will stop coaching you, Nadal said. If I make a bad shot, it is my fault -- not the racquet's. Fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya, also his coach in his closing years on tour, was impressed by the youngster. I could see, by the sheer intensity with which he trained, that he was super-ambitious and desperate to improve. He hit every shot as if his life depended on it, said Moya. Nadal turned professional at 14 and made his Wimbledon debut in 2003 at 17. At 18, he was part of the Spanish team that won the Davis Cup, playing, and winning, one singles match in the final. Nadal won his first major title in 2005 at his maiden French Open, two days after turning 19. He won his last, a 14th Roland Garros, 17 years later. Nadal amassed 92 titles and was a two-time Olympic gold medallist despite playing in an era which also boasted Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the two other members of tennis's dominant Big Three for more a decade. Federer faced Nadal in 14 Grand Slam finals winning only four, the Swiss player ending his career with 20 majors, two fewer than the Spaniard. 'Beginning and an end' Nadal's physical playing style took a toll -- injury sidelined him from at least 11 Grand Slam events. But he kept fighting back. After the second half of his 2021 season had been wiped out, he returned to break Federer's record at the 2022 Australian Open and added a 22nd major at the French Open just after his 36th birthday. For Nadal, age is just a number If you don't lose, you can't enjoy victories. You have to accept both things, Nadal said. After that victory, he insisted he was not concerned if Djokovic broke the record. It's something that does not bother me if Novak wins 23 and I stay at 22. I think my happiness will not change at all, not even one percent. Djokovic won three titles the following year to take his total to 24. Nadal faced Djokovic 60 times, the last of which was at the Paris Olympics in July in a clash which proved to be Nadal's final competitive singles match before he announced his intention to retire. The pair fought out the longest Grand Slam final of all time -- five hours and 53 minutes at the 2012 Australian Open in which the Serb triumphed. In his private life, Nadal started dating Mery when he was 19 and they married in 2019. They had their first child, Rafael, in October 2022. I love the sea, he has said repeatedly. He owns a yacht and likes fishing and has become more than a very capable golfer. I'm excited to bring to an end a long and beautiful part of my life, relishing these last moments as normal, accepting that everything has a beginning and an end. The Rafael Nadal Factfile Name: Rafael Nadal Date of birth: June 3, 1986 Place of birth: Manacor, Spain Professional debut: 2001 Career earnings: $134.9 million ATP titles: 92 Grand Slams: 22 Australian Open (two titles) 2009, 2022 French Open: (14 titles) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022) Wimbledon: (two titles) 2008, 2010 US Open: (four titles) 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 Olympic gold: 2008 (singles), 2016 (doubles) Davis Cup: (four titles) 2004, 2009, 2011, 2019 Weeks as world number one: 209 Year-end world number one: 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 Current world ranking: 155 Win/loss record: 1080-227 Other information -- Missed numerous Grand Slams due to injury: Australian Open in 2006 (left foot) and 2013 (stomach virus); Roland Garros in 2003 (elbow) and 2004 (left ankle); Wimbledon in 2004 (left ankle), 2009 (knee), 2016 (left wrist) and 2021 (left foot); and US Open in 2012 (left knee),2014 (right wrist) and 2021 (left foot). Personal -- Married to Maria Francisca Perello; son, Rafael born Oct 7, 2022 -- Uncle, Miguel Angel, played football for Barcelona, Real Mallorca and Spanish national team. Played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup. -- Appeared in Shakira's music video for the song Gypsy in 2010 -- Centre Court at Barcelona was renamed Pista Rafa Nadal in 2017

Rafael Nadal set to retire at Davis Cup: When he'll play, how to watch on TV and more to know

Rafael Nadal prepares to retire from tennis after Davis Cup finals in Malaga, ending a successful 20-year career