Rafael Nadal says farewell as his playing career ends after Davis Cup defeat

It has been 20 years of a professional career in which you have carried me through the good times, and in the bad you pushed me to keep playing."

Addressing the crowd, Nadal reflected on his journey

The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I’m not tired of playing tennis, but my body doesn’t want to play anymore and you have to accept that,

said Nadal

It’s in some ways good, maybe, if that was my last match,

said Nadal, smiling, immediately after his singles match

The way remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca. That I had the life that I had. I had my uncle who was a tennis coach in my village when I was a small kid. Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. At the end of the day, being honest, a lot of people work hard, a lot of people try their best every day. But I am one of those who is lucky.”

Asked how he would like to be remembered in the sport, Nadal said

Probably today the decision to put me on the court didn't work,

he admitted

It's not my decision (whether I play), that's why we have a captain (David Ferrer) and I’m not the captain,

said Nadal

I’m not going to say I’m sorry because this is a sport and sometimes it is what it is. I have tried my best and left all I could on the court like I have always done in my career,

added Nadal

I don't know if I'll play any matches or not. I've played very little lately. That's a question for the captain, not for me.”

Speaking on Monday, Nadal said