Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands during the quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Malaga, Spain, Nov. 19, 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
MADRID, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his professional tennis career after the 38-year-old's 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday.
The crowd yelled "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa" and Nadal cried while a video featuring his career highlights was shown.
"The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca. Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible. ... I have been very lucky," Nadal said in an on-court, post-match ceremony to honor his retirement.
Nadal dominated the French Open with a record 14 titles. He also claimed four US Open titles and won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice.
Nadal has been a leading figure in men's tennis for over a decade, known as one of the sport's "big three" along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard spent a total of 209 weeks as the ATP world No. 1 singles player, and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. ■
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands during the quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Malaga, Spain, Nov. 19, 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
A fan holds up a sign in support of Spain's Rafael Nadal during the quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Malaga, Spain, Nov. 19, 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands during the quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Malaga, Spain, Nov. 19, 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands during the quarterfinal between Spain and the Netherlands at Davis Cup Finals tennis tournament in Malaga, Spain, Nov. 19, 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal ended his career as Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
