“Gracias, Rafa’: Nadal At Davis Cup Prepares For End Of Pro Tennis Career

By Barry Janoff

Photo: Tennis ChannelUPDATED November 19, 2024: In what is presumed to be his final pro singles match, Rafael Nadal, representing Spain, lost today to Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, 6-4, 6-4.

Depending on Spain’s position, Nadal might play a Davis Cup doubles match.

“By the way, it's in some ways good maybe if that was my last match. That probably was my last match if nothing happens,” Nadal said during a post-match media conference. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle.”

“In the beginning, I think we were both nervous,” van de Zandschulp said during his post-match interview. “The first service game didn’t go smoothly. The crowd was tough, of course. Understandable. That’s what it is to play here in Spain against Rafa.

“I think he’s the biggest sportsman here in Spain that ever lived. It was a really special event. It’s tough to close out a match against him, knowing that it could be his last or not. I was hoping more than going for it, but in the end, I just went for it and that helped.”

Concurrently, Nadal marketing partner Nike unveiled a spot honoring him, “Greatness. It Only Takes Everything: Rafael Nadal.”

November 18, 2024: The 2024 Davis Cup is being played this week in Malaga, Spain, which might not impact many beyond tennis aficionados except for the fact that it is scheduled to be the last pro tennis tournament for Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, 38, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has been beset by injuries over the past few seasons and, last month, confirmed that the Davis Cup — billed as the men’s World Cup of Tennis — would be his final pro appearance, playing for his native Spain.

On-site, however, Nadal was focused more on his country’s success than the conclusion of his pro career.

“I cannot predict what's going on,” Nadal said today during a pre-tournament media session. “If I am on-court, hopefully not (showing emotions) because at the end I am not here for retiring. I'm here to try to help the team.

“Then it's of course going to be my last week on the professional tour, but at the end, we are here in a team competition.

“The most important thing here is try to help the team and to stay all focused on what we have to do, that is play tennis and do it very well. Because the rival is going to be difficult and the conditions are difficult, too."

Davis Cup organizers, however, are not letting the history moment go without fanfare.

They hung a huge banner reading “Gracias, Rafa” across the entire side of the soccer stadium opposite the Palacios de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, where the Davis Cup is being staged.

They also moved Nadal’s media conference from Martin Carpena’s press room to a much-larger space in Spain’s team Malaga Higueron Resort to accommodate the media on-hand.

“Gracias, Rafa” posters can also be found on OOH bus stops, billboards and video displays throughout Malaga.

“There’s no ideal farewell,” said Nadal. “Movie-script finales are for American movies and I realised a long time ago that I wouldn’t have one of those, so it’s not something that I’m worried about.”

In addition to Nadal, Spain’s Davis Cup team includes Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez and Marcel Granollers. Former player David Ferrer is team captain.

"The feeling to play for your country, to play for your teammates, and if you have a good relationship with the team, something that happened I think 99% of the times of our careers, with David, with Carlos Moya, and now with all this team . . . Have been 20 years of playing this competition," Nadal said.

"I went through a lot of different generations. The big success in our country is we always had a familiar relationship. And that helps to have the feeling that at the end when you win, everybody wins. When you lose, everybody loses.”

How much Nadal plays — doubles but likely not as a single — depends on Ferrer’s strategy, Nadal’s health and Spain’s on-court success. (Editor's note: Nadal played singles vs. Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup QF, losing 6-4 6-4.)

Tennis Channel will televise the Spain vs. Netherlands quarterfinal matches live from Malaga Nov. 18 (11 AM ET).

The winner of Spain and Netherlands will play semifinal matches against Germany or Canada Nov. 22 (11 AM ET).

The Davis Cup championship is scheduled for Nov. 24 (10 AM ET).

“It's amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays,” Netherlands team captain Paul Haarhuis said during his team’s press conference regarding the match against Spain. “We hope to give him a nice adios."

"Everybody knows how much I love my country in general,” Nadal said during his media conference.

“I haven't been able to move from the country ever, so I enjoy living here. And play my last event in Spain, it's something that I am very happy with.

Nadal has not played Ann ATP Tour or pro match since the Paris Olympic Games in August, where he lost in the second round to Novak Djokovic.

Injuries and rehabilitation have limited him to 19 matches this season.

Among his accomplishments, his 22 Grand Slam men's singles titles include a record 14 Roland-Garros French Open titles.

He has won 92 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including 36 Masters titles and two Olympic gold medals (Beijing 2008 in singles, 2016 Rio de Janeiro in doubles).

"Thanks to the work that (Spain) made in Valencia to qualify for the Finals, I have the chance to enjoy this last moment of my tennis career."

Per the ATP, he has earned nearly $135 million over his pro career singles and doubles combined.

He was part of the in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament, a non-ATP-sanctioned event in October in The Venue, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earnng $1.5 million.

In addition to Nadal, the event included Alcaraz, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and event winner Jannik Sinner.

Now, the end is near for Nadal.

"Thanks to the work that (Spain) made in Valencia to qualify for the Finals, I have the chance to enjoy this last moment of my tennis career. Being with them, being with the team, and playing in Spain is something very special.

“Because I will never have the chance to thank enough everybody here in Spain, the support that I receive and the love that I felt always.

“The media, the crowd, the kids, always had a great connection with them. So I have been very fortunate to enjoy all what I enjoyed and feel myself the way that I feel during all those years. A very special thing that I felt very well loved."

‘Difficult Decision’: Rafael Nadal Says He’s Ready To Retire

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