Rafael Nadal lost to Botic van de Zantsschulp in the Davis Cup final, the last match of the Spaniard’s career.
Van de Zantsschulp won 6-4, 6-4, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in the quarterfinals against Spain. It was Nadal’s second singles loss in the Davis Cup, the other being in his 2004 debut against the Czech Republic.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s new tennis king, defeated Talon Griekspur 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 to equalize the score. That means a decisive doubles match will be needed to settle this showdown.
However, Wesley Koolhoff and Botic van de Zandsschulp defeated Alcaraz and Marcel Granolles 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3) to book a place in the semi-finals for the Netherlands.
“The title, the numbers, they’re there. People probably know it. What I want to be remembered more for is like a good guy from a small village in Mallorca,” the 38-year-old said. said online. A court ceremony celebrating his career.
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Spanish fans gathered in their thousands at the Martin Carpena Arena, donning red and yellow flags and scarves, ready to cheer on their national hero for perhaps the last time.
Tears welled up in Nadal’s eyes during the heart-pounding national anthem, but his trademark sprint to the back of the court showed he meant business.
It was Nadal’s eighth official tournament of the season, but his only singles match since the Olympics in July came at an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia last month.
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Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, put up a good fight against the big-serving Dutchman, but his serve was broken late in the first set.
He began to look a step off the pace and collective goodwill could not prevent him from falling into a second double breakdown.
This greatest yellow ball warrior was determined to fight to the end, regaining one break and trying to get back on even terms.
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But Van der Zantsschulp was not the Dutchman, ranked 22nd in the world, and Nadal netted his last forehand to close out the match, waved to the crowd with a kiss, and walked away with one final swing. Ta. head.
“In a way, it might be a good thing even if it was my last game, because I lost my first Davis Cup game and I lost my last game. We close the circle.” said Nadal, whose Davis Cup career began with a Davis Cup loss. Jiri Novak in the Czech Republic in 2004.
“The crowd was tough, of course. That’s what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He’s the greatest sportsman who ever lived here. It’s a really special event,” Van de Zantsschulp said. spoke.
“It’s hard to finish a game with him. Knowing this could be his last game…I just went for it and that helped me in the end.”
The winner of the tie will face either Germany or Canada in Friday’s semifinals.
Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
Looking at Nadal in numbers…
Total singles wins: 1080
Ranked in the top 10 for 912 consecutive weeks
209 weeks as world No.1
92 single titles
63 singles wins on clay courts
Masters 1000 seconds 36 times
30 Grand Slam final appearances
22 Grand Slam wins
14-time French Open champion
No.1 in 5 years
2 Olympic gold medals
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