Rafael Nadal, one of tennis’ greatest players, has officially retired after an extraordinary 23-year career. Speaking emotionally following Spain’s loss to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga, Nadal shared his thoughts on his legacy. The 38-year-old, who has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, revealed that he hopes to be remembered as “a kid who followed their dreams” and “a good person.”

Nadal’s retirement marks the end of an era for the sport, as he concludes his career with more than 90 ATP titles and an unmatched 14 French Open victories. His remarkable achievements, including his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles, made him one of the most beloved figures in tennis.

In his farewell address, Nadal expressed gratitude for the unforgettable experiences tennis gave him. “I was just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today,” he said. Reflecting on his journey, Nadal emphasized the importance of character, stating, “The way I’d like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.”

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His final match ended in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic Van de Zandschulp, a result that marked his first Davis Cup defeat in over 20 years. Despite the loss, Nadal shared a sense of closure, noting that his first and last Davis Cup matches were both defeats, completing a “circle” in his career.

Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of Spanish tennis, spoke highly of Nadal, calling his legacy “eternal.” Alcaraz, who has already captured four Grand Slam titles, expressed the challenge of following in Nadal’s footsteps, acknowledging the immense impact Nadal has had on the sport. “It is difficult, almost impossible” to continue Nadal’s legacy, he said, but promised to try his best.

Nadal’s farewell was accompanied by an emotional tribute video featuring messages from fellow tennis icons, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Federer, who retired in 2022, shared how proud Nadal had made the entire tennis world. Djokovic, a longtime rival, expressed honor at being called Nadal’s competitor. “I have been very honored and thrilled to be called your rival,” Djokovic said in his video message.

As Nadal closed the final chapter of his career, he reflected on the love and respect he received from fans and peers alike. “I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,” he said.