Santoro on Nadal: "Albert Costa told me he was going to win the French Open once or twice".

The 2024 Davis Cup was won by Italy. But the final phase of the competition was marked by Rafael Nadal's farewell.

The Spanish legend played the last match of his illustrious career on Tuesday November 19 against Botic van de Zandschulp (defeat 6-4, 6-4).

Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of his retirement, and this phenomenon did not abate after Spain's quarter-final elimination by the Netherlands.

Fabrice Santoro talks about Rafael Nadal

Former tennis glories and current players all had a word for the king of clay, who has officially bowed out.

Formerly ranked 17th in the world in 2001 and now a consultant for beIN Sports, Fabrice Santoro shared a little anecdote about the Majorcan on the Qatari channel's show.

"The first time I heard of Rafael Nadal was in Monte Carlo, during a discussion with Albert Costa, who also won the French Open.

He said to me: 'You see, in Spain we're betting heavily on him and we think he's going to win the French Open once or twice'. At twelve titles, he wasn't far off the mark!