Nadal says goodbye: a tennis icon and her lasting heritage

Nadal says goodbye: a tennis icon and her lasting heritage

The tennis world is still! Rafael Nadal, the undisputed champion and 22-time Grand Slam winner, ended his career at the Davis Cup in Malaga. In an emotional farewell game, the 38-year-old had to admit defeat to the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp with 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday, which meant the end of Spain in the quarter-finals. The Netherlands won the duel 2-1 and moved into the semi-finals, while Nadal addressed his last words to the crowd in the middle of over 10,000 cheering fans.

"I leave the professional sport with peace that I leave a legacy that is not only sporty, but also personal," said Nadal in his moving speech. He thanked his family and uncle Toni, who trained him from childhood. "I want to be remembered as a good person when a boy from a small village in Mallorca, who followed his dreams," he added. An emotional video with messages from tennis legends such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams was shown during the ceremony and underlined the size of his contribution to sport.

a farewell full of emotions

The fans experienced a dramatic finale when Carlos Alcaraz competed against van de Zandschulp against Tallon Griekspoor and won 7-6 (7/0), 6-3. However, the hope of a comeback was quickly destroyed when Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof triumphed in the crucial doubles with 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3). "It's sad to see him, but we have to accept it," said Alcaraz, who is one of Nadal's most promising successors.

"His inheritance will be forever," emphasized Alcaraz and praised Nadal's influence on tennis sports. Spain's Davis Cup captain David Ferrer also paid tribute to Nadal: "There are people who are remembered for their achievements, and then there are legends like Rafa who will stay in our hearts forever." Meanwhile, Nadal's picture in Paris, where he won the French Open 14 times, was projected in front of the Eiffel Tower - a worthy farewell to a real sporting tonus!