Rafael Nadal Cries After Playing Final Match of His Legendary Tennis Career

“I want to be remembered as good person and a kid who followed their dreams and achieved more than I ever believed possible,” Nadal said

Tennis icon Rafael Nadal officially ended his career with tears as he played his final match.

During the Davis Cup quarterfinals — where Nadal's Spain lost against the Netherlands on Tuesday, Nov. 19 — Nadal, 38, was visibly emotional as he spoke about his legacy, according to ESPN.

“I want to be remembered as good person and a kid who followed their dreams and achieved more than I ever believed possible,” Nadal said.

“The titles and numbers are there so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is being a good person from a small village in Mallorca where I had the luck to have my uncle as a tennis coach,” he said at the special presentation held on court in his honor.

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Nadal continued, saying, “I was a kid who followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today. At the end of the day, a lot of people try their best every single day, but I'm very lucky to have the life I have to live because of tennis.”

Nadal announced his retirement on Oct. 10, via a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Related: Rafael Nadal Announces His Retirement from Tennis in Emotional Video: 'A Difficult Decision'

“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, especially these last two,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said in the video.

“I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision and one that has taken me some time to make. But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s an appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” he continued.

Related: Roger Federer Shares Send-off Message to Rafael Nadal as He Nears Retirement: 'Took It to the Next Level'

“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience,” Nadal said. “I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.”