Rafael Nadal Cries After Playing Final Match of His Legendary Tennis Career

Mar. 15, 2025

Rafael Nadal.Photo:Clive Brunskill/Getty

Clive Brunskill/Getty

Tennis iconRafael Nadalofficially ended his career with tears as he played his final match.During the Davis Cup quarterfinals — where Nadal’s Spain lost against the Netherlands on Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Nadal, 38, was visibly emotional as he spoke about his legacy, according toESPN.“I want to be remembered as good person and a kid who followed their dreams and achieved more than I ever believed possible,” Nadal said.“The titles and numbers are there so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is being a good person from a small village in Mallorca where I had the luck to have my uncle as a tennis coach,” he said at the special presentation held on court in his honor.Rafael Nadal.Jean Catuffe/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Nadal continued, saying, “I was a kid who followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. At the end of the day, a lot of people try their best every single day, but I’m very lucky to have the life I have to live because of tennis.”Nadal announced his retirement on Oct. 10, via avideo posted on X(formerly known as Twitter).“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially these last two,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said in the video.Rafael Nadal.Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision and 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 an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he continued.“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” Nadal said. “I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Tennis iconRafael Nadalofficially ended his career with tears as he played his final match.

During the Davis Cup quarterfinals — where Nadal’s Spain lost against the Netherlands on Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Nadal, 38, was visibly emotional as he spoke about his legacy, according toESPN.

“I want to be remembered as good person and a kid who followed their dreams and achieved more than I ever believed possible,” Nadal said.

“The titles and numbers are there so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is being a good person from a small village in Mallorca where I had the luck to have my uncle as a tennis coach,” he said at the special presentation held on court in his honor.

Rafael Nadal.Jean Catuffe/Getty

Jean Catuffe/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Nadal continued, saying, “I was a kid who followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. At the end of the day, a lot of people try their best every single day, but I’m very lucky to have the life I have to live because of tennis.”

Nadal announced his retirement on Oct. 10, via avideo posted on X(formerly known as Twitter).

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially these last two,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said in the video.

Rafael Nadal.Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty

Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty

“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision and 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 an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he continued.

“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” Nadal said. “I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

source: people.com