Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were not present for the final day of Rafael Nadal's career, which disappointed Spain's Davis Cup Captain David Ferrer.
Djokovic had promised to attend Nadal's final event when the 14-time French Open champion announced his retirement from professional tennis. The Serbian also called him his greatest rival.
Federer never confirmed if he planned to be there for Nadal's farewell, but he did write a lengthy and touching tribute to his former rival and current friend on the morning of Spain's Davis Cup Finals quarterfinal against the Netherlands.
Team Spain was a heavy favorite to overcome the Netherlands. But any hopes of a fairytale ending in which Nadal won the Davis Cup for the fifth time in his illustrious career were dashed.
After weeks of speculation, Nadal was chosen for the opening singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp, but the former world No. 1 lost 4-6, 4-6, and never looked comfortable throughout the contest.
Carlos Alcaraz kept Nadal's career alive for another few hours by defeating Tallon Griekspoor, but Wesley Koolhof and van de Zandschulp triumphed against Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to end Nadal's career.
Some questioned Ferrer's decision-making after Spain's loss, arguing that Roberto Bautista Agut should have been chosen in the singles and Nadal could have played in the doubles with Alcaraz or Granollers.
Alcaraz and Nadal played doubles together at the Olympics, strengthening the argument that they should have been picked against the Dutch pair. Ferrer explained the decision afterward, admitting it was a difficult decision.
Federer and Djokovic were among those featured in a video during Nadal's retirement ceremony afterward. But Ferrer told El Partidazo de Cope that he was disappointed neither of his great rivals were in the arena for what turned out to be Nadal's last day as a professional player.
"The farewell was done with the best of intentions, it was after losing and in a hurry… it was a bit sad. I missed Federer, Djokovic, [Pau] Gasol, who is a close friend of his.I shouldn’t have spoken. Rafa’s greatness is not going to change with a better or worse tribute."
It has been reported that Federer and Djokovic may have planned to attend a ceremony on Friday since Team Spain was expected to beat the Netherlands. Ferrer is disappointed that Nadal's career ended with a ceremony Spain's captain felt was watered down.
"I’m sad about everything, about how it happened, about losing the tie… it wasn’t the scenario we wanted. We were favourites but we didn’t show it."
"And the farewell to someone as important as Rafa was watered down; very important people in his career were missing, as well as people who have been so important at the level of his rivals and his team. I missed those people."
"Things are what they are and you have to accept them. Rafa will have a lot of time where he will be honoured in big tournaments and he will have the farewell he deserves. It was his last match, we won’t see him on a court again and I missed that."