Davis Cup LIVE: Rafael Nadal beaten in potential farewell as Spain take on Netherlands
The hosts fell behind in their quarter-final after Nadal was beaten in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp
Rafael Nadal suffered defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in potentially his final match as a professional as the Nertherlands went 1-0 up against Spain in their Davis Cup quarter-final.
Nadal will retire at the end of the hosts’ participation in the event and now faces an anxious wait to see if his illustrious career will be extended by another few days. There were glimpses of the 38-year-old’s remarkable talent in his 6-4, 6-4 defeat, but the Spaniard was unable to match Van de Zandschulp consistently enough to capitalise on a few serving woes from the Dutchman in front of a passionate crowd in Malaga.
It means that the 22-time grand slam champion is reliant upon Carlos Alcaraz beating Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles rubber to have hope of featuring again on court in a semi-final against Germany or Canada on Friday. Should Alcaraz win, he will team up with Marcel Granollers in a deciding doubles encounter with the impressive Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, who is also playing the final competition of his career.
Re-live all of the action from Nadal’s potential farewell in our live blog below:
Rafael Nadal intent on success in Davis Cup farewell: ‘I’m not here to retire — I’m here to help the team win’
Rafael Nadal will not dwell on his impending retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and focus on helping Spain claim the title this week.
Nadal will call time on his glittering career spanning more than two decades at the team competition. The 22-time grand Slam champion has said previously he may only play doubles if it gives the team a better chance of winning a seventh title.
“If I’m on the court I hope to control my emotions. I’m not here to retire. I’m here to help the team win. It’s my last week in a team competition and the most important thing is to help the team,” Nadal said.
“The emotions will come at the end. Before and after I will be focused on what I have to do.”
Rafael Nadal: ‘I’m not here to retire — I’m here to help the team win’
Spain vs Netherlands LIVE
A very good afternoon and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of what should be a thrilling, and potentially emotional, Davis Cup quarter-final. A retiring Rafael Nadal is featuring for the final time in professional tennis this week, with his Spanish squad taking on the Netherlands for a last-four place.
The 22-time grand slam champion cast aside any sense of sentimentality ahead of the encounter, declaring that he is intent on victory in Malaga. Will Nadal’s swansong extend into a semi-final and beyond?
The action should get underway at about 4pm GMT.
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