Rafael Nadal says he achieved more than he "ever dreamed" in his tennis career after it came to a close with Spain's quarter-final exit at the Davis Cup Finals. (More Tennis News)
The Spaniard lost the final match of his career, suffering a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the opener in Malaga, despite the backing of the ho♉me crowd.
Nadal became the Spanish player with the most matches played in the Davis Cup in the last 30 years, with his final match his🤪 43rd. He surpassed Feliciano Lopez.
It was his first competitive tennis match since losing t🏅o great rival Novak Djokovic at the 🤪Paris Olympics in August.
Though Carlos Alcaraz drew Spain level in the quarter-final by winning his singles match, the Netherlands triumphed in doubles to knock the home favoꦏurites out and draw an end to Nadal's glittering career.
Nadജal, a 22-time grand slam winner, reflect🅰ed on how he would like to be remembered.
"I'd like to 𒀰be remembered as a kid that achieved more than🐭 I ever dreamed," Nadal said during an on-court presentation.
"I have been very lucky in the life I have had the opportunity to live. I have lived unforge🃏ttable experiences because of𒈔 tennis.
"I was just a 🌞kid ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚthat followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.
"The titles, numbers, they're there. People probably know that. The way I'❀d♉ like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.";
Nadal retires having won five Davis Cup titles🔥 throughout his career, in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019. He retires with 22 men's Grand Slam titles, 92 ATP-level singles titl♏es, including 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal.
Following Spain's exit, he was invited on to court𒁃 to address the crowd, while an emotional tr💙ibute with messages from his rivals played.
"I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not ju💦st a sporting one but a personal one," Nadal said.
"I understand that the love I have received, if it was ju🐈st for what happened on the🎶 court, would not be the same."
