The Netherlands defeated Spain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, ending tennis superstar Rafael Nadal's illustrious career.
The Netherlands defeated Spain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, ending tennis superstar Rafael Nadal's illustrious career. Carlos Alcaraz won the second match to force a doubles decider, and the Dutch prevailed 2-1 after the 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, lost the first singles rubber. Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 after Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the first singles match. Van van Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof won 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) in the decisive doubles rubber.There were questions around Nadal's participation in the event after he had been sidelined by injuries for years and hadn't participated in a singles match since July.
When captain David Ferrer announced he would participate in the opening singles rubber of the finals match, they were settled.
When the Spanish national song concluded, more than 10,000 spectators erupted in "Rafa, Rafa," as Rafael Nadal seemed moved.
"I was having an emotional day, nerves before what could be my last singles match as a professional," stated Rafael Nadal.
"The emotions hearing the national anthem for the last time as a professional were very special."
When captain David Ferrer announced he would participate in the opening singles rubber of the finals match, they were settled.
When the Spanish national song concluded, more than 10,000 spectators erupted in "Rafa, Rafa," as Rafael Nadal seemed moved.
"I was having an emotional day, nerves before what could be my last singles match as a professional," stated Rafael Nadal.
"The emotions hearing the national anthem for the last time as a professional were very special."
Since making his tournament debut in 2004, Rafael Nadal has won 29 of his past 30 Davis Cup singles matches.
Nadal was overwhelmed by home enthusiasm and gave it his all in the second set, but he was unable to win.
Van de Zandschulp remarked, "I think we were both nervous in the beginning... the crowd was tough, understandably."
"That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain -- he is probably the biggest sportsman here in Spain that ever lived."
Nadal, who is ranked 154th in the world, tried to keep points short despite his deteriorating physical condition by using large serves and sporadic bursts of his deadly forehand, which were accompanied by the traditional fist pump and yell.
Nadal was overwhelmed by home enthusiasm and gave it his all in the second set, but he was unable to win.
Van de Zandschulp remarked, "I think we were both nervous in the beginning... the crowd was tough, understandably."
"That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain -- he is probably the biggest sportsman here in Spain that ever lived."
Nadal, who is ranked 154th in the world, tried to keep points short despite his deteriorating physical condition by using large serves and sporadic bursts of his deadly forehand, which were accompanied by the traditional fist pump and yell.
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 80th in the world, attempted to put Nadal on his backhand, and the indoor hard-court tournament was not the best setting for the record 14-time Roland Garros winner, known as the "King of Clay."
In order to dampen Spanish spirits, the Dutchman converted his second set point after opening up two break points at 4-4 and taking the second with a brilliant cross-court winner.
'All I had' -
In order to dampen Spanish spirits, the Dutchman converted his second set point after opening up two break points at 4-4 and taking the second with a brilliant cross-court winner.
'All I had' -
Nadal rallied from a 0-30 deficit at the beginning of the second set, but he was unable to turn it into a hold, and his opponent won the opening break when the Spaniard went long, building pressure.
In the third game, Nadal, who was down a set and a break, survived intense pressure on his serve for a nervy hold that resulted in the night's loudest scream.
Nadal demonstrated his never-say-die attitude by regaining the break in the sixth game after Van de Zandschulp broke for the second time to take a 4-1 lead.
In what might be his final match, he gave it his all and consolidated, surviving a break point to win back-to-back games for the first time.
Nadal, however, went long to give up match point in the tenth and final game before hitting a ball into the net to give his Dutch opponent the win.
Nadal demonstrated his never-say-die attitude by regaining the break in the sixth game after Van de Zandschulp broke for the second time to take a 4-1 lead.
In what might be his final match, he gave it his all and consolidated, surviving a break point to win back-to-back games for the first time.
Nadal, however, went long to give up match point in the tenth and final game before hitting a ball into the net to give his Dutch opponent the win.
Nadal acknowledged, "I'm not in the rhythm of competition,"
"I've been self-critical enough with myself to improve, even when I've won -- today I will not be tough on myself, this was all I had."
With a solid showing in the second rubber, Alcaraz preserved Rafael Nadal's hopes of winning the Davis Cup one last time.
The world number three acknowledged, "I did it for Rafa," following his victory in singles to force a doubles final.
Griekspoor gave up after Alcaraz won all seven points in a first-set tie-break.
In the ninth game, the Spaniard won in straight sets to love because the world number 40 couldn't apply any pressure to Alcaraz's serve.
The 35-year-old Koolhof, who also retired after the Davis Cup, was in good form at the net until he and Granollers got caught in the opening set of the doubles.
At 4-4, the Dutch went back on serve with a Van de Zandschulp cross-court winner, but Spain rallied with their third break point for a 2-1 lead in the second set.
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In a further tie-break, the Dutch prevailed once more, ending Nadal's career.
"I've been self-critical enough with myself to improve, even when I've won -- today I will not be tough on myself, this was all I had."
With a solid showing in the second rubber, Alcaraz preserved Rafael Nadal's hopes of winning the Davis Cup one last time.
The world number three acknowledged, "I did it for Rafa," following his victory in singles to force a doubles final.
Griekspoor gave up after Alcaraz won all seven points in a first-set tie-break.
In the ninth game, the Spaniard won in straight sets to love because the world number 40 couldn't apply any pressure to Alcaraz's serve.
The 35-year-old Koolhof, who also retired after the Davis Cup, was in good form at the net until he and Granollers got caught in the opening set of the doubles.
At 4-4, the Dutch went back on serve with a Van de Zandschulp cross-court winner, but Spain rallied with their third break point for a 2-1 lead in the second set.
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In a further tie-break, the Dutch prevailed once more, ending Nadal's career.
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