Rafael Nadal was pictured breaking down in tears during the Spanish national anthem at the Davis Cup Finals on Tuesday.
The ‘King of Clay’ could not hide his emotions ahead of his clash against Botic van de Zandschulp in what could be his last ever tennis match if Spain fail to progress past the Netherlands in the best-of-three series.
Nadal, 38, will officially enter retirement once the Davis Cup has concluded, bringing an end to a remarkable career in which he won an incredible tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 at the French Open.
His entire family was seen watching from the crowd in Malaga while every single member of Team Spain looked heartbroken on the sidelines when Nadal started sobbing during his country’s anthem.
Nadal confirmed news of his retirement last month and said in a video message: ‘I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis.
‘The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.’
As well as his heroics at the Grand Slams, Nadal will be fondly remembered for his iconic rivalry with fellow legend Roger Federer.
Federer, who retired in 2022, wrote an emotional love letter to Nadal on Tuesday and said: ‘Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me – a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground.
‘You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge. I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity.
‘Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique – it was so you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time.
‘I thought I was on top of the world. And I was – until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly.
‘All that buzz I’d been hearing about you – about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday – it wasn’t just hype.
‘We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had.’
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