WTA legend explains why Rafael Nadal's retirement was special

11/20/2024 05:30 PM

Fans around the world hoped that Rafael Nadal's retirement would be better. The Davis Cup Finals in Malaga were the last official event of his career and the Spanish team's dream was to give another title to its greatest champion.

Despite the relentless support of the crowd, Spain's run ended already in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands. The choice to field Rafa in singles proved to be a total failure, because the 22-time Grand Slam champion is no longer in a position to keep up with certain rhythms.

After watching all the practice sessions in the morning, captain David Ferrer preferred to use Nadal against Botic van de Zandschulp instead of Roberto Bautista Agut, leaving Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to play the decisive doubles.

The 14-time French Open champion was defeated in straight sets, while Alcaraz leveled the score by defeating Tallon Griekspoor despite some difficulties in the first set. Spain lost the decisive doubles in two tiebreaks and had to sadly abandon the competition already on the first day.

The former world number 1 received a beautiful tribute at the end of the tie against the Netherlands and his legacy will remain forever, but the feeling is that the situation could have been handled better to make that moment even more special. The Spanish legend must have no regrets, having given his best even in his last match. After the loss to van de Zandschulp, Rafa admitted that it was probably a mistake to field him in singles. Nadal was supposed to play doubles with Granollers, while Bautista Agut was supposed to play the first singles.

During this season, the former world number 1 had thought of extending his career and playing some tournaments in 2025 as well. However - after listening to his body's signals - he realized that it would make no sense to continue playing and the Davis Cup Finals seemed to him the best event to say goodbye to the crowd.

In an interview with Eurosport, former World No.1 and top analyst Justine Henin discussed Rafa’s last dance: "Being able to choose the moment, I think it's still something that must be very beautiful. We don't all experience it in the same way.

For me, when it comes to retirement - and I obviously don't have Nadal's career - every situation is different. An injury chose retirement for me. He choosing his moment... at the Davis Cup.

If we can try to imagine what we're all going to feel at that moment, I think it's going to be something very, very beautiful."

Alcaraz and Granollers gave their best in the decisive doubles, but their opponents were better in both tiebreaks. The Spanish pair had a set point in the first set and led a break in the second set, but the details made the difference in favor of the Netherlands. Carlitos does not yet have enough experience in this specialty, as had already been seen during the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion paid tribute to his great compatriot: "I think that he was one of the best ambassadors for tennis. I mean, his legacy is going to be eternal. You know, he has been great for tennis, for this sport in general.”

The World No.3 continued: "Yeah, it is difficult, at least for me. I don't want to think that I should continue, you know, the legacy that he has left. It is difficult, almost impossible. I will try to do my best, but right now, you know, it's time to say, you know, just great things about Rafa, what he has done, you know, during his career. Probably he was one of the players that put tennis, you know, in the top of sport in the top of the world. It is just great to have had Rafa in tennis and, you know, in this period in my life."

According to many fans and insiders, Carlitos is the worthy heir to Rafa. The 21-year-old from Murcia has a very different game than that of his compatriot, more varied and complete, considering that Alcaraz is only 21 years old. However, Nadal has always had a mental strength and consistency that Carlos still lacks. He struggles to maintain the same level throughout the season.

The 21-year-old from Murcia can learn a lot from Rafa, while maintaining his skills and style. These two great champions spent time together during the Paris Olympics, an experience they will both never forget. The last act was not ideal, but professional sport cannot be equated with a movie.