After 22 Grand Slam titles and countless memorable moments, tennis legend Rafael Nadal played his final professional match on November 19. The 38-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup, which he said would be his last tournament before retiring from the sport. The Dutch team ousted Nadal and his fellow Spaniards from play after also winning in doubles.
“I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one, so we close the circle,” Nadal said afterward. Despite his loss, he was feted by fans and fellow tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic. Nadal announced his retirement in mid-October, citing his health as the primary factor in his decision. He said he hasn’t been able to play “without limitations” over the last few years, as reflected by his current ranking of No. 154.
Still, Nadal is retiring as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His 22 Slams are second most in men’s history behind Novak Djokovic at 24, and Nadal’s 14 French Open titles are at least double that of any other competitor. He also has two Olympic gold medals, winning men’s singles in 2008 and men’s doubles in 2016 with Marc Lopez.
“The way that I would like to be remembered more is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” Nadal said following the match. “A lot of people work hard, a lot of people try their best every single day, but… I have been very lucky that life gave me the opportunity to live unforgettable experiences because of tennis. I just want to be remembered as a good person and a kid that followed their dreams and achieved more than wh
