The 22-time grand slam champion represented Spain for the final time in professional tennis at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, in Malaga, but the champion's long run gracing the courts stopped when the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp defeated him in the opening game.

Even though Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 in the second singles match to keep Spain in the event, the Spaniard and Marcel Granollers were beaten 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) by Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the doubles game that decided their fate.

In an emotional address to the crowd during his Retirement Ceremony - which also featured a tribute video -, Nadal said: "It has been 20 years of a professional career in which you have carried me through the good times, and in the bad you pushed me to keep playing.

"I have been able to live with Spain and with everyone, I have felt very grateful to feel the affection of all the public and especially here in Spain.

""I want to congratulate the Netherlands and thank the whole Spanish team that is here, who have let me play the Davis Cup again, which has not gone as we all wanted. I have given everything I had.

"I have lived many important moments of my career with those who are here, it has been a privilege, we have achieved many beautiful things and now it is your turn to continue living them, which I am sure will come.

"The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I'm not tired of playing tennis but my body doesn't want to play any more, and you have to accept that.

"I feel super privileged, I've been able to make my hobby my profession for a long time."