Rafael Nadal lost to Bottic van de Zandshulp in the Davis Cup final in the final match of the Spaniard’s career.
Van de Zandshulp won 6-4 6-4 to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in the quarter-finals against Spain, only Nadal’s second loss in Davis Cup singles, the other coming against the Czech Republic back in 2004.
Spain’s new king of tennis Carlos Alcaraz duly leveled the tie with a 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 defeat of Talon Grixpur, meaning a crucial doubles match will be needed to settle the clash.
However, Wesley Kuhlhoff and Bottic van de Zandshulp spoiled the party by beating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) to book the Netherlands’ place in the semi-finals.
Nadal retires from professional tennis after the team meeting in Malaga, and speaking at his press conference, the 38-year-old admitted: “I feel like this was my last professional singles match.”
“In some ways it’s good, maybe if it was my last match, because I lost my first match in Davis Cup and I lost my last match. We’re closing the circle,” said Nadal, whose Davis Cup career began Czech representative Jiri Novak in 2004.
Spanish fans flocked to the Martin Carpena Arena in their thousands, draped in red and yellow flags and scarves, ready to cheer on their national hero for perhaps the last time.
Nadal had tears in his eyes during the national anthem, but his trademark sprint to the back of the court showed he meant business.
It was only Nadal’s eighth official tournament of the season, while his only singles matches since the Olympics in July came at an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia last month.
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22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal put up a good fight against the big-serving Dutchman, but his serve was broken in the first set.
He began to look a step off the pace, collective goodwill unable to prevent him from breaking twice in the second.
This greatest yellow ball fighter was determined to fight to the end, recovering one break and trying to push himself back on even terms.
But Van de Zandshulp is no trophy as the Dutchman was world number 22 and he ended the match when Nadal hit a final forehand before waving and blowing a kiss to the crowd as he walked away with a final ch.
Van de Zandschulp said: “The crowd was tough. That’s what it’s like to play against Rafa. It’s a really special event.
“It’s hard to close out a match against him. Knowing it could be his last … I just went for it and it helped in the end.”
The winner of the tie will face either Germany or Canada in the semi-finals on Friday.
Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
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