Rafael Nadal suffered defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp within the Davis Cup Finals in what might have been the final match of the Spaniard’s profession.
Van de Zandschulp eased to a 6-4 6-4 win to place Netherlands 1-0 forward of their quarter-final tie in opposition to Spain.
Nadal, 38, is retiring from skilled tennis after the staff occasion in Malaga, and he is not going to get to play once more if Spain lose the second singles rubber later.
Carlos Alcaraz will face Tallon Griekspoor within the different singles, and if the Wimbledon champion can degree up the best-of-three collection, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers will tackle Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, who can be retiring from the game on the finish of the occasion, within the deciding doubles rubber.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, together with 14 French Open titles, put up an excellent battle in opposition to the big-serving Dutchman within the first set however had his serve damaged late.
He was damaged once more firstly of the following, and was by no means capable of absolutely get again into the match on the indoor onerous courtroom on the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain.
Van de Zandschulp mentioned: “The gang was robust. Comprehensible. That is what it’s to play in Spain in opposition to Rafa. He is the most important sportsman right here that ever lived. It is a actually particular occasion.
“It is robust to shut a match in opposition to him. Realizing it could possibly be his final… I simply went for it and it helped on the finish.”
The winner of the tie will face both Germany or Canada within the semi-finals on Friday.
Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this 12 months at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
Rafael Nadal suffered defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp within the Davis Cup Finals in what might have been the final match of the Spaniard’s profession.
Van de Zandschulp eased to a 6-4 6-4 win to place Netherlands 1-0 forward of their quarter-final tie in opposition to Spain.
Nadal, 38, is retiring from skilled tennis after the staff occasion in Malaga, and he is not going to get to play once more if Spain lose the second singles rubber later.
Carlos Alcaraz will face Tallon Griekspoor within the different singles, and if the Wimbledon champion can degree up the best-of-three collection, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers will tackle Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, who can be retiring from the game on the finish of the occasion, within the deciding doubles rubber.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, together with 14 French Open titles, put up an excellent battle in opposition to the big-serving Dutchman within the first set however had his serve damaged late.
He was damaged once more firstly of the following, and was by no means capable of absolutely get again into the match on the indoor onerous courtroom on the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain.
Van de Zandschulp mentioned: “The gang was robust. Comprehensible. That is what it’s to play in Spain in opposition to Rafa. He is the most important sportsman right here that ever lived. It is a actually particular occasion.
“It is robust to shut a match in opposition to him. Realizing it could possibly be his final… I simply went for it and it helped on the finish.”
The winner of the tie will face both Germany or Canada within the semi-finals on Friday.
Nadal helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this 12 months at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
