The match, which ended with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to world number 80 Boltic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup as Spain was knocked out by the Netherlands, marked the end of an illustrious career that included 22 Grand Slam titles and more than 20 years on tour.
After the match, the crowd showed the legendary Spaniard some love by repeatedly chanting his name. A ceremony also took place to celebrate his career. The 38-year-old started crying as a video of his career highlights was shown.
On the subject of his retirement, Nadal said that this is a moment "nobody wants to arrive" at.
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Nadal vows to be 'ambassador' for tennis
"I'm not tired of playing tennis, but it's my body that doesn't want to play anymore, so I have to accept the situation."
Nadal said he feels "super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby, and for having played for much longer than I could ever imagined."
The 38-year-old described himself as "just a kid who followed his dreams."
Among his many titles, Nadal won the Davis Cup with Spain five times, in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019. He was also first in the ATP rankings for 209 weeks.
"I'll retire from the sport," the Spanish sporting legend concluded, "but I will continue to be available for whatever's needed, and for being a good ambassador."
Rafael Nadal: A tennis great and a clay court king
Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis aged 38. The Spaniard, who won 22 Grand Slam titles, enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in the sport.
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Teen star with a big future
Rafael Nadal entered tennis' big stage in 2005. His victory at the French Open in Paris aged 19, was the beginning of an era of dominance. Until 2020, only in 2009, 2015 and 2016 was the winner of the French Open not Nadal. He won eight of his first 11 tournaments on the ATP Tour on red clay and, for a long time, was reduced to being a clay court specialist.
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On the "holy grass"
At the beginning of his career, Nadal (right) repeatedly duked it out with Roger Federer (left), the world's No.1. Nadal was almost always able to beat the Swiss on clay, but he lost in the Wimbledon finals in 2006 and 2007. It was not until 2008 that the Spaniard managed to prevail on the "holy grass" in what remains the longest, and for some the greatest, final in tournament history.
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Golden rise to the pinnacle
2008 was a very successful year for Nadal. After title wins in Paris and Wimbledon, he also won the Olympic final in Beijing. In the battle for gold, he defeated Chile's Fernando Gonzalez before ousting Roger Federer from the top of the world rankings in August. However, it ended on a bum note as a knee injury forced him into taking the first extended break of his career.
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First hard court Grand Slam
After his recovery, Nadal went on to win his first major tournament on hard court at the Australian Open in January 2009. In the final, he beat Federer in five sets to become the first Spaniard to win in Melbourne. Five months later, however, a lowlight as Nadal lost his first ever match at the French Open and was eliminated in the round of 16.
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Collection complete
Having already won in Paris, Wimbledon and Melbourne, Nadal added the US Open title in New York in 2010. His opponent in the final at Flushing Meadows was Novak Djokovic as Nadal became the seventh and youngest player to win each of the four major tournaments at least once since the start of the Open Era in 1968, aged 24.
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Unique style of play
Although Rafael Nadal is right-handed, he plays tennis with his left hand. This was taught to him at a young age by his uncle and coach Toni Nadal. The Spaniard plays with extreme topspin and has a gift for anticipation, which coupled with his athletic prowess, saw him excel at the highest level.
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Coach and mentor
Nadal's biggest fan is his uncle. Antonio Nadal Homar, known as Toni, is his father's brother and introduced his nephew to tennis when he was four years old, convincing the youngster he could make it to the biggest stage despite Rafa preferring to play football. "Uncle Toni" remained Nadal's coach until 2017, and saw him win 16 Grand Slams in that time.
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Teamwork makes the dream work
Nadal has been in a relationship with Maria Francisca Perello since 2005. The 33-year-old, who studied economics in London, prefers to stay in the background. For 10 years, she has been looking after Nadal's foundation, the "Fundacion Rafa Nadal," which is committed to the integration and development of disadvantaged children in Spain and India. They had their first child together in 2022.
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Impressive numbers
Nadal holds numerous records including for a run of 81 consecutive matches won on clay. The Spaniard never lost a final at the French Open, winning 14 titles – more than any other player. Between 2005 and 2014, he won at least one Grand Slam for 10 years in a row. Perhaps the most impressive is the 23 times Nadal defeated the current world No. 1.
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To the limits
However, Nadal's game is intense and energy-sapping. Early on in his career, the question arose as to how long his body could take the strain. His shoulder, back and knee problems all saw him sidelined for significant periods. A degenerative disease in his foot made success even harder. Despite that he enjoyed a remarkably long career.
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Burned out?
In 2021, the foot injury became more severe than ever before. After the semifinal exit in Paris, Nadal said "honestly, I've been suffering with my foot for a year much more than I should and I need to take some time." After a brief comeback, he ended the season early and by the end of the year his future on the ATP Tour looked uncertain.
Against the odds, Nadal bounced back to win both the Australian Open and French Open in 2022, taking his Grand Slam tally to 22. That last remarkable comeback season marked the beginning of the end though, as his physical issues persisted. He had hip surgery in 2023 and warned that 2024 was likely to be his last as a player.
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Coming full circle
And so, on October 10, 2024, Nadal announced he was retiring from tennis. His final appearance came in November, as Nadal lost in front of a home crowd in Spain in the Davis Cup Finals. For Nadal, it marks a full circle moment as he returns to the competition that he won with Spain in 2004 in Seville, marking the start of a special career.
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Roger Federer praises 'old friend'
Spain captain David Ferrer spoke about Nadal's retirement just moments before the latter left the court for one last time as an active player.
"You know very well what you have meant for the tennis world, we will miss you a lot," he said, while adding the 'Vamos, Rafa' chant, often sung to support Nadal, "will always be part of tennis history."
Ferrer was not the only one to bid farewell to Nadal.
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer went viral with a post paying tribute to the Spaniard's career, while also mentioning the many matches they played against each other.
"You beat me a lot, more than I managed to beat you," Federer wrote in a post on X.
"I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next."
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were tennis rivals, but are friends off the courtImage: Grant Treeby/empics/picture alliance
Why is Nadal seen as one of the best?
After bursting onto the scene as the second-ever tennis player to win the French Open on his first attempt in 2005, Nadal went on to win at Roland Garros a record-breaking 14 times, making his total the most won by any men's singles player in one tournament.
His incredible record of 112 wins and just four defeats earned him the title "King of Clay," named after the French Open's surface.
But Nadal achieved much more than being incredible on clay. The Spaniard also won eight other Grand Slams, including four US Open titles and two Wimbledons, including in 2008, after beating Roger Federer in a final considered by many as one of the greatest in tennis history.
Rafael Nadal won the French Open more than any other male player in historyImage: AP
In addition to his physical abilities and his legendary forehand, Nadal was also known for his mental strengths, playing each ball regardless of whether he won or lost the last one.
Nadal's retirement marks the end of one of the most illustrious careers seen in not just tennis, but the whole of sport.
