Rafael Nadal, who is retiring, lost 4-6, 4-6 to the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in a Davis Cup Finals quarter-final singles rubber on Tuesday, giving the Dutch an early advantage over Spain.
Nadal, who has 22 Grand Slam titles, has declared that he will retire from professional tennis following the Davis Cup event in Malaga. This decision follows a period of injury.
There was some question about Nadal’s participation until David Ferrer, the team captain, confirmed his participation in the first singles match of the finals.
The Spanish national anthem performed as an effectively impacted. Nadal stepped in front of the ecstatic crowd, which called his name.
“Rafa! Rafa!”
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Rafael Nadal strong Davis Cup record
Nadal has a strong Davis Cup record, with 29 wins in his last 30 singles matches. His previous two encounters against Van de Zandschulp had likewise yielded victories.
The veteran player’s initial uneasiness seemed to fade after he rallied from a 15-30 hole to win the first game.
Van de Zandschulp, rated 80th in the world, suffered a loss after he served three consecutive double faults. He regained his calm, though, and held serve.
Rafael Nadal presently ranked 154th
Nadal, who is presently ranked 154th, aimed for shorter points, using powerful serves and displaying his well-known forehand. His trademark fist pump and yell followed.
Van de Zandschulp targeted Nadal’s backhand, a strategy that proved difficult for the Spaniard to counter, especially on the indoor hard court, which is different from Nadal’s preferred clay.
At 4-4, the Dutchman gained two break points, the second of which he converted with a well-placed cross-court winner to take a substantial lead. He subsequently used his second set point.
Nadal rallied in the second set, rallying from 0-30 down, but he was unable to convert it into a hold. Van de Zandschulp took advantage of the Spaniard’s extended play, securing the first break and increasing pressure.
Nadal worked hard to regain a foothold after trailing by a set and a break. In the third game, he fought under strong pressure on his serve, eventually holding and receiving the loudest cheers of the night.
Van de Zandschulp maintained his momentum by holding his serve and then breaking Nadal’s serve again for a 4-1 lead. Another cross-court triumph, following a hard rally, completed the break.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Nadal demonstrated unyielding drive, breaking back in the sixth game with his third break point. This flicker of optimism got larger as he maintained his serve, cutting the score to 4-3.
The Spaniard, giving it his all in what may be his farewell encounter, saved a break point and won two straight games for the first time in the match.
Van de Zandschulp, showing his own tenacity, held serve in the eighth game with two strong aces. Nadal then followed suit, leaving Van de Zandschulp to serve out the match.
In his final game, Nadal played a long shot to lose match point before hitting the net to seal the victory for his Dutch opponent.
Spain’s prospects of progressing in the Davis Cup currently rest with World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz. In the second rubber, he will face Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands.
The victor of this match will proceed to the semi-finals, where they will meet either Germany or Canada.
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