Tennis great Rafael Nadal in tears during emotional farewell at Davis Cup clash with Netherlands

Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his teary eyes scanned the stands as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anthem before what he, and everyone, knew might be the last singles match of his career on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Emotions were high as Nadal went down 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp and it proved to be his final farewell, with the Netherlands eliminating Spain hours later in the doubles rubber.

Nadal said beforehand that the emotions would need to wait, that this week was about attempting to claim one last title for his country, not about his impending retirement.

But there was barely a dry eye in the room, not least those of the tennis legend, as the Spanish crowd soaked their icon’s presence up for the last time after taking the court.

The 38-year-old Spaniard announced last month this event would be it for him as a professional tennis player after two years of injuries that limited him to competing only sparingly, but no one could be sure if that end would arrive in Tuesday’s (local time) quarter-finals or later in the Davis Cup Final 8.

Nadal’s defeat in the opening contest was only the start of the best-of-three Spain v Netherlands matchup on an indoor hard court at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain.

After losing his tie, Nadal’s career would have been over if not for teammate Carlos Alcaraz winning his singles match against Tallon Griekspoor, setting up a doubles clash to decide it.

But then van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched the tie by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) in the deciding doubles match — the tennis making court for an emotional farewell ceremony.

“The way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” he said, choking up before the crowd’s applause forced him to pause.

“I had the luck that I had my uncle (Toni) that is a tennis coach. I had a great family to support me in every single moment. Just a kid who followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be what I am today.

“And at the end of the day, being honest, a lot of people work hard, a lot of people try their best every single day, but I am one of these that I have been very lucky that life gave me an 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 and that achieved more than they ever dreamed.”

In one final selfless act, Nadal had already said the quarter-finals clash should be his last, endorsing a teammate to be selected in his place regardless.

“It’s in some ways good maybe if that was my last match. I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle,” he said, speaking after his match.

“I feel like this was my last professional singles tennis match. I lost my first Davis Cup match and I lost my last.

“If I were captain, I wouldn’t pick myself for the next match. If we win and qualify for the semi-finals, the easiest way would probably be to pick Roberto Bautista to play in my place. But it’s not up to me.”

When it ended, with Nadal ranging to his left but not quite able to get into proper position and putting a forehand into the net, he walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent.

In certain ways, this was, unmistakably, the Nadal everyone remembers. The white headband, marked with the red bull logo he 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 forward. The occasional over-the-shoulder putaway. And, yes, the occasional hop and uppercut and scream of “Vamos!” after claiming a key point or closing out a game.

There also were, neither to Nadal’s or most of the 9,200 spectators’ liking, several points where he did look like what he truly is right now: a once-dominant figure diminished by age and injuries.

His forehand did not always have the same verve, and his total of 10 groundstroke winners was barely half of van de Zandschulp’s 19. His footwork and speed were hardly what they once were, no matter how many chants of “Ra-fa!” or “España!” broke out in a bid to spur him.

This result ended Nadal’s 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles; the only other blemish on his record, which stood at 29-1 entering Tuesday, came on his debut all the way back in 2004.

But this version of Nadal had hip issues, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined to limit him to only 23 matches over the past two years. He was 12-7 in singles in 2024 before Tuesday.

Indeed, the match against van de Zandschulp, who upset Alcaraz at the US 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 Novak Djokovic and bowed out in the doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz.

Nadal and Alcaraz — who at 21 is a four-time major champion and considered his heir apparent — practiced with each other hours before the start of play.

The run-up to this Davis Cup has largely been about memories of, and tributes to, Nadal, including a lengthy post on social media by his rival and friend Roger Federer.

“I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared,” a snippet of Federer’s post says.

“Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

“Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done.

“For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.”

Nadal will forever be remembered for his rivalries with Federer and Djokovic as part of the Big Three of men’s tennis, a trio of generational talents who ruled the sport for much of the past two decades.

Federer, now 43, announced his departure in 2022; only Djokovic, 37, remains active.

All three were talented. All three were successful. All three were popular.

Nadal’s appeal with fans was in the way he played and the humble way he conducted himself away from a court, which might explain why there were fans wearing the orange representing Netherlands who applauded for him when he was introduced.

Or why there were spectators from countries other than Spain who toted their nations’ flags bearing messages supporting him.

The locals expressed their love over and over, from the raucous standing ovation that greeted his entrance to the court.

American tennis legend Serena Williams was one among a host of current and former stars who showed their support for Nadal from home.

“Why am I getting so choked up. With Rafael Nadal’s retirement? I’m not good at goodbyes,” she said.

“We’re gonna always love you. We’re gonna always miss you. This isn’t a retirement right? You’re moving on.”