Rafael Nadal's career ends with a defeat. His legacy will not be tarnished by it, write international newspapers. But a touch of bitterness remains. The press reviews:
Switzerland
"NZZ": "His body paid the price for his self-sacrificing style of play - with Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest is retiring from the tennis court. (...) With 14 titles at Roland Garros, he will forever be remembered as the clay king of Paris."
"Tamedia": The last moments of his career must have been agony for Rafael Nadal. He, who had fought his way to victories in his 20 years as a professional, if necessary in great pain, who allowed nothing to stop him, not even his rebellious body for a long time, had to stand idly by and watch as others decided his fate."
Spain
"Mundo deportivo": "His legacy remains, regardless of (the result in) Malaga. Thank you, Rafa. Forever and ever. (...) He leaves behind an indelible legacy."
"El Pais": "Paradoxically, Nadal leaves the way he started (...): With a defeat. Sometimes great stories begin and end in the opposite way."
"La Vanguardia": "This is a strange farewell. Nadal is saying goodbye in the match, exactly as he intended. But he does it under adverse circumstances, defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp, and thus puts a strain on the Spanish team. Yes, it's a strange epilogue. And the climax is tarnished."
"Marca": "If you look back on his career, you also look back on a story of perseverance: Rafa, who since his beginnings in the elite also knew how to deal with numerous injuries and had to assert himself in a competition of giants against behemoths like Djokovic and Federer. Because Rafa was many things: a man of flesh and blood, approachable and human (...). He was unique. He was Rafa."
England
"The Guardian": "Not even the deafening, incessant cheers of the crowd could carry Nadal beyond the limits of his battered and exhausted body. Although he fought for every single point with the dedication and desperation that have characterized his entire career, Nadal was clearly defeated."
France
"Le Monde": "History will hardly remember the name of his gravedigger - no offense to Botic Van de Zandschulp - nor the result (...). But the 38-year-old left-hander's farewell performance ended a little too abruptly not to leave him with a touch of bitterness."
"L'Équipe": "Rafael Nadal, a giant on earth, was at the top for 20 years."
Italy
"Corriere dello Sport": "It was a legendary career that took the Mallorcan star to every corner of the world. His successes have helped to increase his fame - and fill his bank account considerably."
"La Gazzetta dello Sport": "Emotions and disappointment. Tears and exhaustion. (...) The 38-year-old Nadal's 1308th singles match, which brought him his 228th defeat, was full of emotion but short on tennis and brought down the curtain on an extraordinary career."
Austria
"Kleine Zeitung": "With Nadal, tennis loses its best drummer. Rafael Nadal (38) has shaped an entire generation with his game. (...) Alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, no other player has shaped tennis in the last 20 years like 'Rafa'."
SDA
