Davis Cup Finals 2024: Rafael Nadal potentially defeated for final time with Botic van de Zandschulp loss

The day arrived. This Tuesday, November 19, it was time to see Rafael Nadal in the last tournament of his career as a professional tennis player. With a spectacular atmosphere in the Martin Carpena pavilion in Malaga, the Spaniard was preparing to face Botic van de Zandschulp in the first match of the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup between Spain and the Netherlands.

The man who has become a nightmare for the Spaniards in recent months was at it again. After defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open in three straight sets, the Dutchman got rid of Rafa in this first point of the tie. He did it with a final score of 6-4, 6-4.

Rafa decided to start serving, with a controlled game to start ahead on the scoreboard. His opponent was on the same path, with 40-0 in his favor, but three consecutive double faults gave Nadal some life. However, van de Zandschulp pressed and managed to get ahead on serve. They were exchanging games, some even in white. Van de Zandschulp seemed to have problems on the backhand side while Rafa was playing short. As it was foreseeable for what was at stake and the pressure they both had, it was not the most beautiful match in the history of tennis.

With 4-4 on the scoreboard, the executioner of Carlos Alcaraz in the last US Open tightened and was granted the first two break points of the match for either player. On the first one it could not be, but on the second one he released a passing backhand crosscourt shot that overcame Nadal, precisely with the blow with which he was having difficulties. With his own serve, he gave Rafa no option to come back on the scoreboard, and in the second opportunity he had he managed to put the 6-4 in his favor.

The second set could not have started worse for the Spaniard. He took a break of serve after coming back from 0-30. Van de Zandschulp confirmed the break but Nadal managed to pull off a complicated game, practically life or death for him. Despite being 0-30 down, the Dutchman did not give up and won four straight points to maintain his lead on the scoreboard. The former world number 22 did not slow down and took advantage of Rafa's difficulties in his game to break his serve again.

At 4-1 and serving, everything seemed to be going well for the player from the Netherlands. However, after taking a 30-0 lead, he lost three consecutive points and the champion of 22 Grand Slam titles had a break point for the first time in the match. But van de Zandschulp put the ball away with a forehand. The Spaniard fought back and gave himself another break chance, but sent a forehand single into the net. But he was going to insist and the third time was the charm, to recover the first of the two lost breaks.

With 30-0, it seemed that we were heading for a quiet game at last for Rafa. But two consecutive double faults and an unforced error put him back on the ropes. However, he saved the situation with courage, going up to the net after serving. With Nadal back on serve and the crowd pressing, van de Zandschulp's hand trembled and he committed a double fault and a cane. Instead, he planted 3 aces that, added to an error by the Spaniard, put him with the opportunity to close the match at the break.

He started pressing, provoking Rafa's mistake. In a fundamental game, the serve became a roller coaster. What he took from him, he ended up giving to him. Thanks to that weapon, he got within one game of his opponent. Nadal started taking risks but it didn't work, sending a long forehand down the line. This was followed by another unforced error with the backhand, which went to the doubles hallway. He caught up on the scoreboard at 30-all, but taking a risk on a backhand he gave his opponent a match point. This time he took advantage of the first time. Spain is on the ropes and Carlos Alcaraz will now play Tallon Griekspoor to keep alive the hopes of reaching the semifinals.