Rafael Nadal: Tennis great retires at Davis Cup, saying he was ‘a kid who followed their dreams’

Rafael Nadal says he would like to be remembered as “a kid who followed their dreams” as the tennis great bid a poignant farewell to the sport.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s 23-year career came to an end in Malaga on Tuesday night after Spain were beaten by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

Nadal retires as the second-most successful men’s singles player of all time, behind only long-time rival Novak Djokovic.

The 38-year-old said he hoped to be remembered primarily as “a good person”.

“I’d like to be remembered as a kid that achieved more than I ever dreamed,” Nadal said during an on-court presentation.

“I have been very lucky in the life I have had the opportunity to live, I have lived unforgettable experiences because of tennis.

“I was just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.

“The way I’d like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca.”