Tennis: defeated in the Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal played the last match of his career

Rafael Nadal officially retired. The 38-year-old Spaniard, who lost this Wednesday when entering the Davis Cup with his country, will no longer play an official tennis match. The legendary left-hander, 22 Grand Slam titles in his pocket, lost in two sets (4-6, 4-6) in just under two hours against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (80th in the world), during a meeting during which he will never have displayed his former level. The Dutch pair of Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp – winner of “Rafa” in singles earlier in the day – beat Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) to put an end to the professional career of the 38-year-old double Olympic champion from Mallorca, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles and four Davis Cups with Spain.

Rafael Nadal had not played an official match since his defeat in the quarter-finals of the Olympic doubles tournament on July 31 in Paris. This week in Malaga, he could have played extra time if Spain, led by Carlos Alcaraz, qualified for the last four. But his defeat, combined with that of the doubles later in the evening, sealed the fate of his team. And the end of the career of a giant of the discipline.

The multiple winner of Roland-Garros (14) therefore puts the racket away for good, not without emotion. “It was my last match, probably my last match”he stressed after his defeat in front of the press, even before knowing if his team would qualify for the semi-final. “I tried to do my best, to stay as positive as possible, to play with the right energy. It wasn't enough. […] I lost my first Davis Cup match (in 2004), I just lost my last match. The circle is complete.”