Rafael Nadal bid farewell to his illustrious tennis career following a defeat in the Davis Cup, where he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This marked Nadal's first singles loss in the Davis Cup in two decades, ending a remarkable streak of 29 consecutive victories. The match concluded with the Netherlands defeating Spain 2-1, bringing Nadal's professional journey to a close. After the match, Nadal took a moment to remain on the court for a heartfelt ceremony, where he expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him throughout his career. His emotional farewell resonated with fans and fellow players alike, marking the end of an era in the world of tennis.

Rafael Nadal has shared insights into his decision to retire as he prepares for his final appearance in professional tennis, representing Spain at the Davis Cup. The 22-time Grand Slam champion reflected on the timing of his retirement, stating, "I can hold on for one more year. But why? To say goodbye at every tournament? I don't have that ego to need that." At 38 years old, Nadal is set to compete in his last tournament in his home country before concluding an illustrious career. He announced his retirement plans in October and is currently in Málaga as part of the Spanish team, which includes rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Spain is scheduled to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, revealing that he will step away from the sport at the conclusion of the upcoming season, following the Davis Cup Finals next month. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Nadal has achieved an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles throughout his career, placing him second on the men's all-time list, just behind Novak Djokovic. In expressing his feelings about this significant decision, Nadal stated, "I feel super lucky."