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First set: *Van de Zandschulp 0-1 Nadal (* denotes next server)
It’s Nadal to serve first but it’s Van de Zandschulp who immediately looks the part, advancing to the net to nail his backhand volley for the first point. Nadal levels up but Van de Zandschulp’s deep forehand sees the Spaniard find the net. Nadal has the crowd, though, and pumps the fists when making it 40-30. A smash by the net secures the game and eases the nerves, if there are any.
Right then, we’re pretty close to the start. Van de Zandschulp has played Nadal twice and lost both, but that was back in 2022 at Wimbledon and the French Open. The crowd is roaring for Nadal, even through the warm-ups. Looks the place to be right now.
Van de Zandschulp ruined another Spaniard’s party earlier this year, dumping Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open in the second round.
Oh, and here’s a rather decent stat: Nadal hasn’t lost a singles match in the Davis Cup since February 2004. Fancy guessing who beat him?
And here’s Tumaini Carayol reporting on Nadal’s pre-match press conference, which had to be done at a hotel rather than the Palacio de Deportes because of the inevitable media frenzy.
“You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for any edge. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.”
It really is quite fascinating how much time these two have for one another.
Preamble
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to the grand farewell. That headband and vest, those whipping forehands, a thirst for clay, the battle with the other two, and, yes, 22 grand slams. It’s time to say goodbye.
The Davis Cup finals mark the last act of Rafael Nadal’s storied career, with Spain taking on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals in Malaga. The action gets underway at 4pm GMT, with Spain also in possession of the world No 3, Carlos Alcaraz.
Each tie has two singles matches – best of three sets – and, if required, a decider in the doubles. After the wait to see whether Nadal would feature in the singles or doubles … we have our answer: he’s going one-on-one with world No 80 Botic van de Zandschulp.
Send in all your thoughts, queries, favourite Nadal memories, retirement advice, whatever you fancy.
