Rafael Nadal’s career ends in Malaga, as Wesley Koolhof extends his own in dramatic Davis Cup doubles win

By Matt Fitzgerald Nov 19, 2024

Nadal's farewell

Rafael Nadal, 22-time Grand Slam champion and King of Clay, retires from tennis at Davis Cup

By Joel Drucker Nov 19, 2024

Nadal's farewell

Serena Williams lists the ways that Rafael Nadal inspired her in tribute to retiring Spaniard

By Baseline Staff Nov 19, 2024

Nadal's farewell

As retirement looms, Rafael Nadal would not pick himself for Davis Cup semis if Spain advances

By David Kane Nov 19, 2024

Nadal's farewell

Rafael Nadal loses to Botic van de Zandschulp in potential career-ending match, as 20-year Davis Cup singles win streak falls

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Nadal's farewell

Rafael Nadal: The Matches, The Stats, The Fashion, The Impact

Celebrate Rafa's amazing career.

ByTENNIS.com

Published May 20, 2024

Rafael Nadal saw his prolific tennis career come to an end on Tuesday, November 19 in the Davis Cup Finals, when Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands.

📸 PHOTOS: Rafa arrives in Malaga for final career event

This page chronicles just some of the Spaniard's unique impact on the game, both on and off the court, and will continuously be updated.

I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience. Rafael Nadal

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Gracias, Rafa. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/h1V1DmyV0M
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 19, 2024

Nadal made an unforgettable Roland Garros debut in 2005.

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Rafael Nadal, 22-time Grand Slam champion and King of Clay, retires from tennis at Davis Cup

Rafa may have been humble. But he was also deeply driven.

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PLUS: Babolat pays tribute to Rafael Nadal with retirement video, specially-designed racquet bag

The feels were felt from the start, as an emotional Nadal took the court with his teammates.

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Nadal loses to van de Zandschulp in what would prove to be his final match

The Dutchman also snapped the Spainiard's 20-year Davis Cup singles win streak

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"To see your career from the beginning to today was an honor," Serena wrote in a social media post saluting her fellow all-time great.

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Federer called his own final match with Nadal, in doubles at the 2022 Laver Cup, "one of the most special moments of my career."

Tributes pour in

👉 Serena Williams: "You inspired me to be better, to play harder, for fight, to never give up, and to win more. No excuses just play the sport."
👉 Roger Federer: "Your old friend is always cheering for you"

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.@RafaelNadal

From watching you win your first grand slam in 2005 to watching you win your last in 2022, you have been a hero of mine and an inspiration to how I approach my own career. You will be so missed and tennis won’t be the same without you. Congratulations on one of… https://t.co/k2I1K3Ct36
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) November 19, 2024

Nadal's Davis Cup press conference had to be moved to a bigger venue to accommodate the scores of media requests.

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'Gracias Rafa:' Experiencing Nadal’s final farewell at 2024 Davis Cup

No matter where you look or who you talk to in Malaga, there’s only one man on everybody’s minds ahead of the Davis Cup Finals.

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“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” said Nadal as he announced his upcoming retirement.

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22 Rafael Nadal quotes that sum up his fighting spirit and unique sense of humor

As the former world No. 1 prepares to hang up his racquets, here is Nadal talking tennis philosophy, finding joy through suffering, his biggest rivalries and more.

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"I dreamed about playing my Olympic Games, my debut in the Olympic Games, but playing with Rafa it was even more special," Alcaraz said afterward.

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Bob Bryan on Rafael Nadal the doubles player: “The ultimate competitor”

“Doesn’t matter what event it is, singles, doubles, mixed,” says the U.S. Davis Cup captain.

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Thanks for the memories, champ.

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Rafael Nadal's records that may never be broken

👉 No. 5: Twenty-three career wins over world No. 1s
👉 No. 4: 912 straight weeks in the Top 10
👉 No. 3: A Career Golden Slam at age 24
👉 No. 2: Multiple majors in three decades
👉 No. 1: Winning Roland Garros 14 times

Rafael Nadal's history at the ATP Finals could be considered bittersweet.

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McGrogan: Rafael Nadal never won the ATP Finals, but it's not like he didn't have success there

He beat all of his Big Four rivals in the season-ending championship, and twice reached the final.

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Rafa, once a wild-haired, ultra-amped teen, would prove to be a man of wisdom and a model of maturity.

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Tignor: Rafael Nadal is an all-time great sportsman, but he is also something more

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is a philosophy in motion, a model for how to face up to life.

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Like Roger Federer and Andy Murray, Nadal will end his professional tennis career at a team competition.

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Rafael Nadal announces retirement from professional tennis, will play last match at Davis Cup

The 22-time Grand Slam champion released a heartfelt video thanking fans for their support over a career spanning over two decades.

👉 CLICK HERE TO READ

Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024

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Nadal let out all of his emotions following his 2020 Roland Garros triumph over Novak Djokovic.

Behind the lens: The magic of Rafael Nadal, red clay and Roland Garros

Five photographers reflect on capturing nearly two decades worth of Rafa moments in Paris.

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As the boy from Mallorca grew up, so did his fashion.

Rafael Nadal Fashion Retrospective: From sleeveless tops and “pirate” pants to bold and bright in Nike

Turn back the clock and enjoy the evolution of the Spaniard's iconic apparel.

👉 CLICK HERE TO READ

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Don't even think about calling Rafa a clay-court specialist.

Rafael Nadal’s career stats, and where they place him in tennis history

From 22 career Grand Slam titles to 209 weeks at No. 1 and Olympic gold, there’s a lot to cover.

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French Connection: Appreciating Rafael Nadal’s First 11 Roland Garros championships

The most impressive wins, and closest calls, from the King of Clay's title runs on the terre battue.

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We know now why Federer couldn’t solve Nadal on clay. Nobody could, or would.

The 10 Matches That Made Rafael Nadal the King of Clay, Part 1

👉 MATCH 1: 2003 Monte Carlo, second round: Nadal d. Albert Costa, 7-5, 6-3
👉 MATCH 2: 2004 Davis Cup, final: Nadal d. Andy Roddick, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-2
👉 MATCH 3: 2005 Rome, final: Nadal d. Guillermo Coria, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6)
👉 MATCH 4: 2005 Roland Garros, semifinal: Nadal d. Roger Federer, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
👉 MATCH 5: 2006 Rome, final: Nadal d. Roger Federer, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5)

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Nadal and Djokovic were just getting their rivalry started in Madrid—but the Spaniard wouldn't give his opponent the upper hand just yet.

The 10 Matches That Made Rafael Nadal the King of Clay, Part 2

👉 MATCH 6: 2009 Madrid, semifinals: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9)
👉 MATCH 7: 2011 Davis Cup, final: Nadal d. Juan Martin del Potro, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (0)
👉 MATCH 8: 2012 Roland Garros, final: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
👉 MATCH 9: 2013 Roland Garros, semifinal: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7
👉 MATCH 10: 2022 Roland Garros, quarterfinal: Nadal d. Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4)

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