Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain's national anthem Tuesday before what he — and everyone — knew might be the last match of his career.

Novak Djokovic, the third piece of the era's Big Three, had posted his own message to Nadal a month ago and had even asked Nadal to stay a little longer. But a more recent message

Davis Cup Finals LIVE! Tennis bids farewell to an all-time icon in Rafael Nadal this week as he plays the final tournament of his illustrious career. The 22-time Grand Slam champion announced last month that he was retiring from the sport aged 38 after a torrid few years with injuries,