Rafael Nadal was beaten in what might prove to be the final match of his career as the start of his Davis Cup retirement party fell flat.
Spanish great Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, will end his tennis playing journey after the men’s team event in Malaga.
It had been unclear whether the 38-year-old former world number one would be ready to play in the singles. But even though he had not played competitively for over three months, Nadal was selected by Spain captain David Ferrer.
The move backfired in front of a partisan Spanish crowd as Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, who admirably stayed composed in testing conditions to put the Netherlands 1-0 ahead in the quarter-final.
If Spain are unable to overturn the deficit in the best-of-three tie, there will be no other opportunity for Nadal to take to the court as a professional again.
Nadal took time to linger in the centre of the court after his defeat, showing gratitude by waving to all sides of the arena as 11 500 fans packed out the Palacio de Deportes.
In his pre-tournament news conference on Monday, Nadal insisted he would not be distracted by emotion as he aimed to help Spain win the Davis Cup for a sixth time in his career.
That was the theory. In practice, the emotion got to Nadal within minutes of walking out to a thunderous ovation.
Nadal’s eyes filled up during the Spanish national anthem. His right hand shook uncontrollably.
Once the anthem stopped, he was able to raise his arm into the air and mouthed “Gracias” to the supporters chanting his name.
“At the beginning I think we were both nervous. The crowd was tough, understandably,” said Van de Zandschulp.
“That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He is probably the biggest sportsman in Spain to have ever lived.”
Nadal’s level was understandably far below his best.
Occasionally he showed fizz on his famous forehand, but it was not enough to push his opponent deeper in the court.
The shorter balls allowed Van de Zandschulp, who is ranked 80th in the world but beat Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, to pick off his illustrious opponent.
In a febrile atmosphere where Van de Zandschulp’s missed first serves were cheered, the 29-year-old Dutchman deserved great credit for staying focused and seeing out an important victory for his nation.
“I have to say it is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last,” said Van de Zandschulp.
“I felt I was hoping a bit more than going for it. I went for it and it helped in the end.” (BBC)
