Rafael Nadal declares he ‘feels’ singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp was his ‘last ever’
Spain currently trial 1-0 in the Davis Cup quarterfinal after Rafael Nadal's loss to Botic Van de Zandschulp.
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Rafael Nadal (via X)
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has confirmed that his match against Botic Van de Zandschulp was his final professional singles match. The Spanish star lost 6-4, 6-4 to the Dutchman in the Davis Cup tie held in Málaga on Tuesday, November 19.
After the match, Nadal spoke to the media about his future plans. He also shared a humorous reason, explaining why ending his singles career with this defeat might actually be fitting.
Given my level, I wouldn’t choose myself, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to play…I feel that this was my last professional singles match.
Rafael Nadal in his post-match press conference (H/T: Marca)
With Nadal stepping away, the responsibility for Spain now lies with Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The four-time Grand Slam champion is tasked with leveling the tie by winning against Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles match.
If Alcaraz succeeds, the deciding doubles match will see Wesley Koolhof, who is also retiring after this event, partner with Van de Zandschulp. They will face Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to determine the winner, who will advance to face either Germany or Canada in the semi-finals on Friday.
Rafael Nadal showed glimpses of good level against Botic van de Zandschulp in Davis Cup
Botic van de Zandschulp broke expectations on Tuesday during his Davis Cup quarter-final match against Rafael Nadal. The Dutch player refused to follow the narrative, delivering a strong performance against the Spanish legend.
The 29-year-old claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win, giving the Netherlands an early lead over Spain. Van de Zandschulp kept his focus despite the emotional weight of the match, dashing Nadal’s hopes of ending his career with a sixth Davis Cup title.
Nadal, playing his first match since his loss to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics, still had moments of brilliance. In the sixth game of the second set, he battled fiercely for 10 minutes, breaking back and showcasing the resilience that has defined his career.
Though Nadal gained momentum by winning two consecutive games to close the gap to 3-4, Van de Zandschulp stayed calm. He delivered clutch serves under pressure, quieting the Spanish supporters and holding on for the win. After one hour and 53 minutes, he ended Nadal’s remarkable 29-match Davis Cup winning streak.
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Fahad Hamid
(624 Articles Published)