Rafael Nadal ended his incredible career last Tuesday at the Davis Cup Finals. The 38-year-old played his last singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp, falling 6-4, 6-4. Rafa returned to Mallorca but did not stay away from the competition for too long!
The Spaniard stepped on the golf course during the weekend, entering the Hexagonal Q-Romia Circuit event in Mallorca. A passionate golfer, Nadal presented his skills in the Handicap category, finishing eight with a scorecard of 76 strokes. Thus, he demonstrated his precision and competitive spirit.
Nadal’s participation in this event offers a glimpse into how he plans to embrace life after tennis, enjoying his time with friends and family. After over two decades on the professional circuit, Rafa can now embrace other passions and favorite things he has been missing for such a long time.
🤣 Marc López y la competitividad de Rafa Nadal
➡️ “Es imposible ganarle al golf… Necesitaría vidas de entrenamiento para ganarle. Es alguien muy competitivo, es difícil ganarle en algo que él hace bien. Me gana en el parchís…”#DirectoGol pic.twitter.com/MSQTndGRzM
— Directo Gol (@DirectoGol) November 20, 2024
Rafael Nadal’s final dance in 2024
Rafa struggled in 2021 and bounced back a year later. The legend claimed back-to-back Major titles in Melbourne and Paris, moving in front of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the GOAT race. However, he injured his abdominal muscles at Wimbledon and withdrew ahead of the semi-final.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Nadal struggled for the rest of the year, missing a chance to become world no. 1 at 36 and losing confidence. Entering the 2023 season without form or rhythm, the Spaniard experienced a severe hip injury at the Australian Open, missing the rest of the year and undergoing surgery.
Despite the most extended break of his career, Rafa was ready to bounce back and end his tennis journey on his terms. Nadal returned to action in January this year in Brisbane, making a promising start before experiencing another blow! The Spaniard beat Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler.
However, he wasted three match points against Jordan Thompson and fell after three and a half hours. He felt the pain around his troubled hip and withdrew from the Australian Open. Nadal could not catch a break, injuring his abdominal muscles in February and extending his hiatus.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The legend returned to action at the end of April but could not revive his A-game of the beloved surface. The king of clay scored five victories in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris, suffering early losses and contemplating retirement. Rafa faced world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the Roland Garros first round.
The German scored a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and five minutes, bouncing back in the second set and delivering the earliest loss for the 14-time Major winner. Rafa skipped the grass swing and entered Bastad ahead of the Olympic Games.
The 36-year-old stopped the clock in Sweden, beating four rivals and reaching his first ATP final in over two years. Nadal fell to Nuno Borges after losing steam, injuring his right thigh and traveling to Paris for his final Olympic Games. Rafa lost to Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 in the second round.
He missed the US Open and announced his retirement in October, citing the Davis Cup Finals as the last event of his career.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Rafa’s last career match
Spain faced the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals quarter-final in Malaga. Nadal stepped in and competed in the national jersey two decades after debuting at 18. Rafa played against Botic van de Zandschulp and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss in an hour and 52 minutes, ending his career with a loss.
The home favorite got broken three times and delivered one break. Rafa gave everything but fell in straight sets, suffering only his second Davis Cup singles defeat. Botic played better behind the first serve and took charge in the closing stages of the opening set.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
He broke the 22-time Major winner two times in the second set and moved over the top. They served well in the opening eight games of the duel. The Dutchman made a push on the return at 4-4 and secured a break with a backhand crosscourt winner. Botic served for the opener at 5-4.
He converted a set point with a service winner, moving 6-4 ahead after 46 minutes and gaining a boost. Rafa missed a break point at the beginning of the second set and experienced a break, falling a set and a break behind. Nadal held after deuces in the third game, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Van de Zandschulp held in the fourth game for 3-1 and made another push on the return in the next one. He converted the second break chance with a forehand crosscourt winner and built a 4-1 lead. Rafa made his only push on the return in the sixth game.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
He pulled one break back and wished for more for the rest of the set. However, he hit double faults in the seventh game and faced a break point. The legend denied it with a service winner and closed the game to remain in contention. Rafa grabbed the opening two points at 3-4.
Still, his rival fired powerful serves and held, moving 5-3 in front and closer to the finish line. Nadal served to prolong the match in game nine and landed three service winners, reducing the gap to 5-4 and chasing one last chance on the return. Botic kept his composure in the tenth game.
He fired a service winner at 30-30 for a match point and drew Nadal’s error, sending the Spaniard into a well-deserved retirement.