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Victor Petkov
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Nadal loses Davis Cup clash in what could be his final game
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The Spaniard fought hard, but lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp

In a dramatic Davis Cup quarter-final, retiring tennis legend Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Spain. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, whose career has been marred by injuries over the past two years, is set to retire at the conclusion of Spain’s Davis Cup run in Malaga.

Nadal, 38, was an emotional figure during the Spanish national anthem, with fans passionately chanting “Rafa, Rafa.” His Davis Cup record had been stellar, with 29 singles wins out of 30 matches since his debut in 2004. Despite his recent struggles, he had defeated Van de Zandschulp in both of their previous encounters.

Though Nadal initially held his nerve and won the first game, his physical limitations became apparent. Attempting to shorten rallies, he relied on powerful serves and flashes of his trademark forehand. Van de Zandschulp, ranked 80th in the world, targeted Nadal’s backhand, exploiting the Spaniard’s vulnerability on the indoor hard-court surface—a stark contrast to Nadal’s favored clay.

In a pivotal moment at 4-4 in the first set, Van de Zandschulp capitalized on a break opportunity, clinching the lead with a cross-court winner and converting his second set point. The Dutchman then broke Nadal early in the second set, extending his advantage and putting immense pressure on the veteran.

Despite trailing, Nadal fought back, saving break points and managing a break of his own to narrow the gap. His effort brought the crowd to their feet, with the Spaniard fighting to stay in contention. However, Van de Zandschulp remained composed, delivering powerful serves, including two crucial aces, and ultimately sealed the match when Nadal netted a return on match point.

Following the loss, Spain’s hopes now rest on Carlos Alcaraz, the world number three, who is set to face Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles rubber. A victory for Alcaraz would keep Spain’s Davis Cup chances alive and extend Nadal’s farewell. The winner of this quarter-final will go on to face either Germany or Canada in the semi-finals.