
Rafael Nadal retires after Spain is upset by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup
CNN
Rafael Nadal’s remarkable 23-year career came to an end after Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Rafael Nadal’s remarkable 23-year career came to an end after Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. In emotional scenes, Nadal - playing in his final professional tennis event - watched with tears in his eyes while other tennis greats, including Roger Federer, lauded the Spanish great in a retirement ceremony. Earlier in the day, Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp. The Málaga, Spain, crowd tried to will the 22-time grand slam singles champion to victory, but van de Zandschulp prevailed, 6-4, 6-4. Nadal’s all-time singles record at the Davis Cup stands at 29-2. His only other loss came against Czech Jiri Novak in 2004. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle,” Nadal said to reporters.











