Rafael Nadal lost to Bottic van de Zandshulp in the Davis Cup final in what could be 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.
Nadal, 38, retires from professional tennis after the team match in Malaga and will not be able to play again if Spain loses the second singles tournament later.
Nadal admitted during his press conference. “I feel like this was my last professional singles match.”
In the other singles, Carlos Alcaraz will face Talon Grixpur, and if the Wimbledon champion can climb into the top three, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers will meet Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhoff, who is also retiring from the sport. the end of the event, the decisive double rubber.
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.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion including 14 French Open titles, put up a good fight against the big-serving Dutchman but 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.
Social media response
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW! and: The Sky Sports appthis year giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport at no extra cost. Learn more here.
