Legendary Tennis player Rafael Nadal was seen getting emotional during Spain’s national anthem ahead of his Davis Cup quarter-final game against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday, November 19 at Palacio Deportes Martin Carpena in Malaga. Notably, Nadal has announced that Davis Cup would be his last ever professional tournament of his career as the Spaniard is set to hang up his boots after the mega event.
Hence, ahead of his fixture, the 38-year-old looked extremely emotional while representing his country for the final time in his career. In a viral video, Nadal could be seen fighting back his tears as he stood alongside his teammate Carlos Alcaraz and the entire Spanish team. He was also given a loud roar by the capacity crowd who had gathered to watch him play in his final tournament with the Spanish national anthem being played in the background.
Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Live Updates
Watch the video here:
Earlier, ahead of his final tournament appearance, Roger Federer wrote a heartwarming farewell message to Nadal. Nadal and Federer shared an iconic rivalry on the court, but remained friends off it. Federer even had his retirement match, a doubles encounter, along with Nadal as they teamed up in the Laver Cup in 2022.
Nadal’s tumultuous 2024
Meanwhile, before the Davis Cup, Nadal’s last appearance came at the Paris Olympics 2024 as he competed in both singles and doubles category alongside Carlos Alcaraz. His last appearance at a Grand Slam event came at the French Open 2024 where he crashed out of the first round itself after losing against Alexander Zverev.
He further didn’t take part in the US Open after which he announced his decision to pull the curtains down on his illustrious career following the Davis Cup finals. Nadal is teamed alongside Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pedro Martinez, Marcel Granollers, and non-playing captain David Ferrer, a former World No.3 and French Open finalist in 2013.
The Spaniard has won 92 titles in his career, spanning 22 years, out of which 22 were Grand Slam titles. In fact, he once held the record for winning most majors in men’s tennis (22) before Serbian legend Novak Djokovic toppled him.
– Champions Trophy tour cancelled video embed
