Between injuries and miraculous returns
Often presented as the heir to the left-handed Manacor, Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 3, then tied the two teams by defeating Tallon Griekspoor (40th) 7-6 (7/0), 6-3. But the decisive doubles, won 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) by van de Zandschulp associated with specialist Wesley Koolhof, was fatal to Spain, six-time winner of the Davis Cup. Conversely, the Netherlands reached the second semi-final in their history, after that of 2001. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup” in 2004, “I just lost my last match. The circle is complete,” judged Nadal on Tuesday, whose career has been punctuated by countless injuries, between almost miraculous returns to the forefront.
The eternal rival of Switzerland Roger Federer (20 Grand Slam titles) and Serbian Novak Djokovic (24 titles) had not played an official match since his defeat on July 31 in the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament. Even before the confirmation that Nadal would play against the Netherlands, spectators were already present in large numbers around the Malaga Sports Palace.
“One of the last tennis legends”
Coming from Elche (southeast of Spain), Miquel Zapata Diez and Sergio Medina were convinced: as the Spanish media had announced since Tuesday morning, “Rafa” was going to play and Spain would win. “Rafa is one of the last legends” of tennis, judged Sergio, a 25-year-old firefighter who would not have missed his farewells for anything. Of Spain’s six coronations, the Majorcan has participated in five victorious campaigns (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019) but having not played in the final in 2008, he only has four Saladiers d’Or to his name. money.
From the gates of the airport to the municipal athletics stadium which faces the site of the final phase, passing through the metro stations, the entire city of Malaga paid tribute to the national hero, with the support of “Gracias Rafa” (Thanks Rafa). Roger Federer also praised it on social networks. “You made me work harder than I ever imagined (…) You forced me to reinvent my game (…) What an incredible career you had,” congratulated the ex-No. 1 Swiss world.
For former world No. 1 and Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt, Nadal is “one of the greatest players of all time”. Monday at a press conference, Alcaraz warned: “For me, for the team and for everyone in Spain, it is going to be an emotional day.”
