Rafael Nadal faced a poignant moment in his career as he was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp during the Davis Cup finals in Málaga, potentially marking his farewell to professional tennis. As the Spanish national anthem played, Nadal was visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes and trembling hands. This moment signified the beginning of the end of a remarkable 30-year journey that he had hoped would never come. Despite the overwhelming support from the crowd, who chanted “Rafa! Rafa!” in a show of solidarity, Nadal struggled to overcome the limitations of his injured body. He fought valiantly for every point, embodying the determination that has characterized his illustrious career. However, he ultimately succumbed to a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against van de Zandschulp in the first match of the tie between Spain and the Netherlands. With Spain's chances of advancing in the tournament hanging in the balance, Nadal's future in tennis remains uncertain.

Roger Federer has shared an emotional letter on social media, paying tribute to his longtime rival Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard prepares to retire from professional tennis. In his heartfelt message, Federer expressed his admiration, stating, “Your old friend is always cheering for you.” Nadal is set to conclude his illustrious career at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga this week, with Spain kicking off their campaign against the Netherlands on Tuesday. The rivalry between Federer and Nadal has been a defining feature of tennis, with the two legends facing each other 40 times from 2004 to 2019, creating some of the sport's most memorable moments.