Rafael Nadal, after an illustrative career that lasted for over 2 decades, finally decided to hand up his racquet at the Davis Cup. Nadal viewed it the event as a perfect place to end his career as he always loved representing his country. Having battled through injuries in the latter half of his career, he could not make much on the tennis court and eventually had to spend time off the nets. Speaking on the same, Andrea Petkovic, a tennis legend suggested how his body begged him to finally retire.

Rafael Nadal exit came after a singles loss to Botic Van de Zandschulp, 6-4, 6-4. This marked the end of an extraordinary career filled with relentless effort, determination, and triumphs. Nadal’s retirement has drawn heartfelt reactions, including one from former player Andrea Petkovic, who captured the raw emotion of the moment.

“The earth shattered and cried and resisted but in the end, there was only one,” Petkovic said, reflecting on Nadal’s departure. She described him as the last of the “big three,” the trio of legends who elevated tennis to dizzying heights. Petkovic praised Nadal for fighting until the very end, even when his body could no longer keep up. “Enough already, leave me be. Find peace, let go. Let THE F*** go,” she imagined his body pleading.

Nadal himself admitted the struggle. “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,” he said. His battle with injuries, particularly a foot injury in 2021, defined the latter part of his career.

Despite setbacks, Nadal made a stunning comeback in 2022, winning the Australian and French Opens. However, his journey took a toll. A hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open ultimately ended his season and, eventually, his career.

Nadal leaves behind a legacy of resilience and a reminder that even the greatest must eventually “let go.” Rafael Nadal was asked by his captain to play in the singles of the Davis Cup. While this was his last career match, it wasn’t much appreciated by experts.

Rafael Nadal’s final singles match heavily criticised by renowned journalist

French journalist Benoit Maylin openly criticized Rafael Nadal’s participation in the singles match during Spain’s Davis Cup campaign. Speaking on the Winamax TV show Sans Filet, Maylin called Nadal’s inclusion a “total mistake” and blamed decision-makers including Spain team captain David Ferrer, the Spanish Tennis Federation, and even local authorities in Malaga.

Maylin questioned the rationale behind selecting Nadal, considering his current form. “Rafa has said it over and over again: ‘I’m not here to say goodbye but to help Spain win this Davis Cup,’” Maylin emphasized, acknowledging Nadal’s intentions to prioritize team success over a personal farewell.

However, Maylin strongly disagreed with the strategy. “The aim of the game is to find yourself in the semi-finals with Bautista and Alcaraz, who will succeed in beating Holland because we had to avoid the doubles. But you don’t put Nadal, you never put Nadal, you know very well that the guy is not up to par,” Maylin argued, suggesting that Nadal’s recent struggles should have excluded him from the singles lineup.

The journalist also doubted reports that Nadal performed well in practice. “I don’t believe for a single second that he beat Bautista Agut in the practice sets,” Maylin said, reinforcing skepticism about Nadal’s readiness. The criticism raises questions about whether emotional decisions overshadowed tactical planning for Spain’s Davis Cup efforts. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!