Spain beaten in the quarters, Rafael Nadal sent into retirement, the Davis Cup continues in a much more subdued atmosphere, this Wednesday in Malaga.
Waking up was hard this Wednesday morning in Malaga. And certainly almost everywhere on the other side of the Pyrenees. Many Spaniards are still stunned by the last match of their idol Rafael Nadal, suddenly sent into retirement at the end of the evening, when the Netherlands beat La Roja in the quarter-final of the Davis Cup, in front of the Andalusian public.
At the city's Palais des Sports which is hosting the final phase of the competition, the fervor and electric atmosphere of Tuesday gave way to emptiness.
Germany-Canada in front of sparse stands
On the program this Wednesday, there was the second quarter-final between Germany and Canada, won 2-0 by the Germans who thus joined the Dutch in the last four.
No more long queues to enter the stadium, since the elimination of Spain, spectators who had bet on a semi-final and/or a potential final with Rafael Nadal are starting to sell their seats. Here and there, online, we find ticket holders trying to attract future buyers in all the languages of the teams that are still qualified.
And then there is also the final of the Billie Jean King Cup between Slovakia and Italy which is played… in an annex structure, next to the central court of the Palais des Sports.
Sinner, the ultimate attraction
And if you ever want to see Jannik Sinner, there are still a few places left for the Italy quarter-final this Thursday and a possible semi-final on Friday. The world number 1 is now the ultimate attraction of this final phase.
Moreover, Italy's matches are the only ones that really fill the Malaga Sports Palace. Further proof that the success of the Davis Cup depends on the presence of the best players but also and above all on home matches. Meetings which will be more numerous in 2025 with the new formula.
