Rafaen Nadal's farewell journey: 520 rivals conquered before retirement

Yesterday at 11:17 AM

Rafael Nadal will finish the season a couple of places outside the top-150. The legend kicked off the season ranked 672nd, passing 520 rivals on the ATP ranking list for a massive climb. However, more was needed to keep Rafa motivated for 2025. 

The Spaniard struggled to deliver his A-game at notable events in 2024, embracing 20 singles matches and deciding to end his glorious career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The 38-year-old is the second-oldest top-200 player at the end of 2024, standing behind Stan Wawrinka.

🔴Qué bien le sienta el rojo a este chico (@RFETenis) #DavisCup 🎾Primera toma de contacto de Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) con Málaga, en el que será su "último baile" como tenista profesional 🔗https://t.co/7tv7FGmc9Ipic.twitter.com/ZQkBqfzYrF

— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) November 14, 2024

If we remember, everything went well for Nadal in the first half of 2022 despite injuries. The Spaniard conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros and stood alone on 22 Major crowns. However, everything fell apart for him at Wimbledon. 

Nadal withdrew ahead of the semi-final due to abdominal issues and struggled for the rest of the year. He finished the season ranked 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz and never reached that level again. Rafa experienced a massive hip injury at last year's Australian Open and missed the rest of the season.

The 22-time Major winner refused to end his career after another setback. He underwent surgery and worked on his comeback in the second part of 2023. The legend worked on his game and announced his comeback in Brisbane in the first week of 2024. 

Nadal made a promising start against Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. However, he experienced a blow versus Jordan Thompson, squandering three match points and falling after three and a half hours. The veteran missed the Australian Open and returned home.

Practicing in Mallorca, Rafa injured his abdominal muscles in February and stayed away from the court until April. Targeting deep runs at his beloved clay events, Nadal entered Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros for the last time. 

🎾Tenis l #JuegosOlimpicos Rafa Nadal🇪🇸 cae ante ante Djokovic🇷🇸 por 1-6 y 4-6 🔸Otra lección de lucha, de no dar nada por perdido, de seguir hasta el final ¡HONOR Y A POR EL DOBLES! #Paris2024pic.twitter.com/eNPHYd4N6U

— DEPORTE OLÍMPICO (@depominoritario) July 29, 2024

Competing for the first time after 100 days, the Spaniard fell to Alex de Minaur in Barcelona, losing steam after the opening set. Nadal played better in Madrid, serving revenge to de Minaur and entering the last 16. Seeking his 100th Masters 1000 quarter-final, the home favorite fell to Jiri Lehecka. 

Rafa traveled to Rome for his final Foro Italico ride. It did not end well for him, as he took only a couple of games against Hubert Hurkacz and suffered one of the toughest defeats on his favorite surface. Heading to Paris without confidence, Nadal drew world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the first round.

The 14-time champion gave everything in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss in three hours and five minutes. Rafa served for the second set but wasted his chance to prolong the battle, experiencing his earliest Roland Garros defeat. As was expected, the Spaniard missed the grass swing.

Nadal trained on clay in Mallorca and Greece and made final preparations for the Olympic Games in Bastad. Rafa stopped the clock at the ATP 250 event and defeated four rivals for a place in his first ATP final in over two years! The veteran endured an epic battle against Mariano Navone.

He beat the Argentine after nearly four hours and scored another win to enter the title clash. Nuno Borges proved too strong for the king of clay, beating him in straight sets and lifting a trophy. Nadal traveled to Paris with discomfort in his right thigh.

He ousted Marton Fucsovics in the first round of the Olympic tournament and arranged the 60th and last meeting with Novak Djokovic. The Serb made a flying start and scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory, ending the Spaniard's hopes of the third Olympic medal.

Rafa withdrew from the US Open and decided to conclude his career at the end of the season at the Davis Cup Finals.  

A duo on a mission! Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz star in the doubles tournament at Roland-Garros Stadium 🤩 - Un double en mission ! Rafael Nadal et Carlos Alcaraz à l'affiche du tournoi de double au stade Roland-Garros 🤩 📸 Paris2024 / @flo_pernet#Paris2024pic.twitter.com/6H5tSEuy1F

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 30, 2024

Two decades after debuting for Spain, Rafa defended the national colors versus the Netherlands in Malaga. The legend faced Botic van de Zandschulp and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss, ending his career with only his second Davis Cup defeat.

Nadal trained well but could not shift that to the official match. He broke the rival once in the second set and suffered three breaks that cost him dearly. They served well in the opening eight games. Botic landed a smash winner for 4-4 and made a push on the return in the next one.

The Dutchman earned a break chance and seized it with a cracking backhand crosscourt winner for a 5-4 lead. He served for the set in the next one and landed a service winner for 6-4 in 46 minutes. Carried by this boost, van de Zandschulp denied Nadal's game point at the beginning of the second set.

The Dutchman secured his second straight break, moving a set and a break in front. The home favorite fought off deuces in the third game, holding and reducing the deficit. Botic served well in the fourth game and made another push on the return at 3-1. 

He converted the second break point with a forehand crosscourt winner, moving 4-1 up and closer to the finish line. The veteran made a push on the return in the sixth game. He delivered his only break and reduced the deficit, hoping for a complete comeback.

However, Nadal hit double faults in the seventh game and played against a break point. The legend saved it and closed the game, reducing the gap to 4-3. Rafa grabbed the first two points of the eighth game and gave the crowd something to cheer about.

Still, Botic grabbed four consecutive points and held for a 5-3 lead, keeping the pressure on the other side. Nadal closed the third game with three service winners and had one more chance to prolong the battle.

Instead, van de Zandschulp fired a powerful serve at 30-30 for a match point. He held with a forced error to seal the deal and send Rafa into a deserved retirement at 38.