Retiring Rafael Nadal’s career ends as Spain is ousted at Davis Cup
Al Jazeera
Nadal’s superlative career was celebrated in front of his home crowd in Malaga after Netherlands upset Spain in the Davis Cup.
Rafael Nadal said he has left both a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis at the Davis Cup.
The 38-year-old was beaten on Tuesday in the opening singles rubber of the quarterfinals as The Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to reach the final four.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years.
“I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,” Nadal told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honour his retirement.
“I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.”
