In a Davis Cup quarter-final singles match, retiring tennis star faced a defeat by Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-4, 6-4, granting the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Spain. The 22-time Grand Slam winner, Rafael Nadal, is set to retire from professional tennis following Spain’s participation in the ongoing tournament in Malaga, marking the end of an illustrious career marred by injuries in recent years.
Despite doubts surrounding Nadal’s participation, team captain David Ferrer confirmed his presence in the match, where Nadal, emotionally moved, played amidst cheers of “Rafa, Rafa” from the crowd. Known for his dominance in Davis Cup singles matches, Nadal struggled against Van de Zandschulp, who targeted his backhand and capitalized on his physical limitations.
The match saw Nadal attempting to keep points short with powerful serves and glimpses of his iconic forehand shots. However, Van de Zandschulp’s strategic play and consistency led him to victory, breaking Nadal’s serve and securing crucial points to seal the win. Despite a valiant effort from Nadal to stage a comeback, the Dutchman’s strong performance proved too much to overcome.
With Nadal’s departure imminent, the focus now shifts to the upcoming match between Carlos Alcaraz and Tallon Griekspoor, as Spain aims to keep their Davis Cup hopes alive. The winner of this encounter will advance to face either Germany or Canada in the semi-finals, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.