Rafael Nadal was beaten in what could be the final match of his storied career as Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands won their Davis Cup singles match 6-4 6-4 in Malaga.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion announced earlier this year that he would retire after the tournament. He could play again, however, after third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor, in the second singles match.
Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers will now face off against van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof for the Netherlands in the deciding doubles.
A dream start in Malaga for @Boticvdz and @KNLTB 🇳🇱#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/yDI59NXZpn
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
Spain will play again in Friday’s semi-final if they go through – meaning Nadal’s career could have another chapter to come. The defeat ended Nadal’s 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles stretching back to his debut in 2004.
‘I would be cheering for him too’
Here’s what Botic van de Zandschulp had to say following his victory:
“At the beginning I think we were both nervous. The first games didn’t go smoothly. The crowd was tough, understandably.
“That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He is probably the biggest sportsman in Spain to have ever lived.
“I have to say it is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last. I felt I was hoping a bit more than going for it. I went for it and it helped in the end.”
On the support from the Dutch supporters in the crowd, he added: “It was unbelievable. I needed it. There were too many people from Spain here cheering for him.
“If I was sat at the side of the court I would have been cheering for him too.”
