What's happened
Rafael Nadal concluded his illustrious tennis career after a loss to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The match marked his first singles defeat in the competition in 20 years, ending a remarkable run. Nadal expressed gratitude and reflected on his journey during an emotional farewell ceremony.
What's behind the headline?
Emotional Farewell
- Nadal's last match was filled with emotion, highlighting his deep connection to the sport and his country.
- The national anthem resonated with him, marking a poignant end to his career.
Legacy in Tennis
- With 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal's impact on tennis is monumental.
- His sportsmanship and dedication have inspired countless players.
Future of Spanish Tennis
- Nadal's retirement raises questions about the future of Spanish tennis.
- Young talents like Carlos Alcaraz will need to step up to fill the void left by Nadal's departure.
What the papers say
According to Tumaini Carayol from The Guardian, Nadal expressed mixed feelings about his final match, stating, "Of course it has been an emotional day." He reflected on his journey and thanked his supporters. Meanwhile, Howard Fendrich from The Independent noted Nadal's struggles with injuries, emphasizing that he was not ready to continue competing at a high level. The South China Morning Post highlighted Nadal's commitment to his team, stating, "I am not here for retiring. I’m here to try to help the team." This sentiment underscores Nadal's dedication to his teammates even in his final moments on the court.
How we got here
Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis prior to the Davis Cup, citing ongoing injuries that limited his competitive play. His final tournament was a significant event for both him and his teammates, as they aimed for success in the team competition.
Go deeper
- What were Nadal's greatest achievements in tennis?
- How will Nadal's retirement affect the Davis Cup?
- Who are the upcoming stars in Spanish tennis?
More on these topics
-
The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
-
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
-
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera is a Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 2 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.
-
David Ferrer Ern is a Spanish former professional tennis player. A three-time Davis Cup champion with Spain, Ferrer has won tournaments at all levels except at a Grand Slam, and currently has the seventh highest career prize money earnings of all time amo
-
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is a Spanish professional tennis player. Alcaraz has a career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 75 achieved on 21 June 2021.
-
Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
-
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who is ranked world No. 4 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.