Rafael Nadal A Tearful Goodbye To Tennis

A Tearful Goodbye to the tennis icon received a standing ovation from the audience, and Rafael Nadal found it difficult to contain his tears. Having played his final match of his career after Spain's 1-2 loss to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, Rafael Nadal has said farewell to professional tennis.

The Netherlands overcame Spain 2-1 to get to the last four, defeating the 38-year-old in the first singles match of the quarterfinals. Over the previous 23 years, Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has had a spectacular and remarkable career.

As the 10,000 spectators, including his family and friends, flocked to the Martin Carpena stadium in Malaga to watch him perform his magic one more time, Rafael Nadal stood alone on the court and took in the atmosphere.

Nadal concluded:

"The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca."

"I was fortunate to have a wonderful family that always supports me and an uncle who taught tennis in my hamlet when I was a very little child."

"I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved (even) more than what I had dreamed."

During his heartfelt address, Rafael Nadal stated, "I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,"

The Spaniard expressed his desire to serve as a "good ambassador" for tennis in the future and stated that he had no qualms about starting his retirement.

"I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next," he stated."