Rafael Nadal retired from tennis following Spain’s exit from the 2024 Davis Cup at the quarter-final stage.
After 23 years on the ATP Tour, Nadal took to the court one final time on Tuesday, at the Davis Cup in Malaga.
Nadal fell in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp, but there was hope that Spain could still advance to the semi-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz took down Tallon Griekspoor to level things at 1-1 before the Dutch duo of Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhoff won the doubles to dump Spain out of the Davis Cup.
A 6-4, 6-4, victory to the world number 80, perhaps wasn’t the storybook ending that fans had in mind for Nadal, but there are plenty of legendary matches that the 38-year-old took part in over the years.
His contests with fellow legend Roger Federer in particular, will live long in the memory.
As Nadal’s legendary career comes to a close, The Tennis Gazette look back at the five best Nadal and Federer matches of all time.
1. 2008 Wimbledon final – ‘The greatest match ever played’
Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7, victory over Federer in the final of Wimbledon back in 2008, is widely considered to be one of the greatest matches in the history of the sport.
In fact, former world number one John McEnroe described the match as ‘the greatest match ever played’.
The pair battled on court for a remarkable seven hours after numerous rain delays, with the Spaniard eventually ending Federer’s run of five consecutive Wimbledon titles.
The quality of tennis throughout the match is genuinely remarkable, and if you ever find yourself missing Nadal or Federer, just watch the 2008 Wimbledon final, and you’ll quickly have a smile back on your face.
2. 2017 Australian Open final – ‘One last time’
After six years, Nadal and Federer finally returned to a Grand Slam final against each other at the 2017 Australian Open.
Their ninth and final meeting in a Grand Slam final, there was a lot on the line, as both had struggled with injury throughout 2016.
After three and a half hours of action, Federer took home the title 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, in one of the best matches in the history of the sport.
The title was Federer’s 18th Major triumph, pulling him four ahead of Nadal who at the time trailed with just 14.
After such a legendary encounter, Federer recognized just how evenly matched the two were.
“Tennis is a tough sport, there’s no draws,” he said.
“But if there was going to be one I would have been very happy to accept a draw tonight and share it with Rafa.”
3. 2009 Australian Open final – ‘A first title down-under’
Nadal’s five-set victory over Federer at the 2009 Australian Open was his first in Melbourne, as he looked to close in on the Career Grand Slam.
Winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2, in just under four and a half hours, Nadal overcame the imperious form of Federer on hard-courts.
At the time, the Swiss star was a mouth-watering 8-0 in hard court Grand Slam finals, with Nadal yet to win a Major outside of the French Open and Wimbledon.
It was a sensational performance from both, leaving everything on the court, with Federer left in tears after his defeat.
4. 2005 Miami Open final – ‘The first final’
Federer came back from two sets down to win 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the first-ever tour-level final played between the pair.
The 43-year-old completed the ‘Sunshine Double’ with the victory, having won at Indian Wells just a few weeks prior.
It was only the second meeting between the Spaniard and the Swiss, with Nadal winning in Miami the year prior.
Another stunning match, and one that set the tone for one of the greatest rivalries tennis has ever seen.
5. 2006 Italian Open final – ‘The King of clay’
Having won the Monte-Carlo final just a few months prior against Federer, the Spaniard was looking to do the double in Rome.
Riding a 52-match winning run on clay, it was Federer who had the chance to stop Nadal from equalling the record at 53.
He came so close to doing so in the fifth set, as Federer had two match points, but was unable to convert, sending the final to a deciding set tiebreaker.
It was the ‘King of clay’ who reigned supreme after over five hours of grueling action, with Nadal winning 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.
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