Rafael Nadal Cries During National Anthem Before Last Match of His Career

Rafael Nadal

The final match of Rafael Nadal’s legendary career left nary a dry eye in the house — including the tennis star himself. 

Nadal, 38, was visibly emotional while the Spanish national anthem played before his Davis Cup match against the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday, November 19. Ultimately, Nadal lost the match 6-4, 6-4, which was played at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain. 

The defeat brought the end to Nadal’s highly decorated career after the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced his plans to retire in October. 

Nadal became emotional again after the match, when his home country crowd gave him a rousing standing ovation. 

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“I have felt super fortunate to receive so much,” he eventually managed to tell the fans.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal added, “Nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment. I am not tired of playing tennis. My body has arrived at a place where it cannot play anymore. I feel privileged to have extended my career longer than I expected. Thanks to life and to my team.”

When all is said and done, Nadal said he wants to be remembered as “a good person from a small village in Mallorca.”

“I have tried to achieve my goals with respect, humility and appreciation for the good things I have experienced,” Nadal continued. “I have tried to be a good person and I hope you have felt that. I leave the world of professional tennis having found many friends.”

Tributes to Nadal flooded in from his greatest friends and tennis rivals from over the years, including his good friend and longtime competitor Roger Federer. 

“I just want to congratulate you and your team, who all played a massive role in your success,” Federer, 43, wrote in a letter posted via Instagram. “And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.”

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Decked out in Nadal gear, Serena Williams paid homage to the tennis star’s legacy while keeping a bright eye on his future. 

“We’re gonna always love you,” Williams said in a video posted via Instagram. “We’re gonna always miss you. This isn’t a retirement right? You’re moving on.” 

In announcing his retirement, Nadal acknowledged that injuries had finally taken too much of a toll on his body. 

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” he said in an October 10 video. “I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.”