Rafael Nadal bids final farewell to tennis after Davis Cup loss

However, the send-off provided to the 22-time Grand Slam-winning legend by the International Tennis Federation and their Davis Cup organising committee provided a fitting final memory.

Nadal's great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were not present for his send-off due to logistical reasons, but they both contributed to a moving video played to a tearful crowd.

Soccer great David Beckham also contributed to the video tribute, with Nadal making a moving speech before he revealed how he would like to be remembered.

"A lot of people work hard. A lot of people try their best every single day. I have been very lucky," said a tearful Nadal as he addressed the crowd.

The titles, the numbers are there, but the way I'd like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.

"I was just a kid who followed his dreams and worked as hard as possible to get where I am today. I achieved my dreams and more than I ever thought."

The scenes in Malaga came after Nadal lost his final singles match 6-4, 6-4 against Botic van de Zandschulp, with Carlos Alcaraz giving Spain hope with a 7-6(0), 6-3 win against Tallon Griekspoor

It was a false dawn for Spain as their elimination was confirmed after Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof beat Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers in the deciding doubles against

"Of course it has been an emotional day, nerves before what can be my last singles match," said Nadal

"Feeling the national anthem for the last time like a professional has been very special. And then of course a little bit of mixed feelings makes things a little bit more difficult.

"But that's it. We went on court. We live that moment. I tried to do my best. I tried to, at the same time, stay as positive as possible in every single moment, to play with the right energy. It was not enough. Congrats to Botic. That's all. He was better than me."

When asked whether he should have played in singles for the first time in a competitive environment since the Paris Olympic Games last summer, Nadal conceded he had his own doubts about taking to the court.

"Of course, it hasn't been an easy decision for the captain, but at the end, I really believe that David put on the field the player who he feels that had the better chance to win," reflected Nadal.

"Because I give him, since the beginning, the input that he doesn't need to feel any pressure to put me, honestly, and I was not sure to play. I even give him more chances to put Roberto on the field than me during the whole week.

"Probably watching that today, the decision to put me on the court as second player didn't work."

With a smile, Nadal reflected on his first and last matches in the Davis Cup ended in defeat as he added: "It's in some ways good maybe if that was my last match. I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle."

Nadal has hinted he may yet have a final farewell event to put the final full stop on his career, which may be where Djokovic, Federer, Andu Murray and a few more may be able to pay their tributes in person.

Yet the tennis world has seen Nadal play his final competitive tennis match and for those of us privileged to have been on the journey with him over the last two decades, it was hard not to feel a sense of loss as he walked off court for the final time.

The memories Nadal leaves behind will live forever and all that is left to say is - Vamos Rafa.

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