Defeated in the Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal may have played the last match of his career

Rafael Nadal may have played, and lost, the last competitive match of his immense career early Tuesday evening in Malaga. The king of Roland-Garros played the first singles match of the quarter-final of the Davis Cup tennis between Spain, 10th in the world ranking, and the Netherlands (N.6). The winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments lost in two sets 6-4 and 6-4 after 1h52 of play, to Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP 80).

Nadal announced on October 10 that he would retire after the Davis Cup. The Majorcan must now count on his young successor in the hearts of the Spanish tennis public Carlos Alcaraz, to hope to return to play the semi-finals. The world No.3 will first meet Tallon Griekenspoor (ATP 40). If successful, “Carlitos” will be associated with Marcel Granollers (ATP 4 in doubles), in the decisive doubles against Wesley Koolhof (ATP 8 in doubles) and van de Zandschulp.

Of the six Spanish victories in the Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal, 38, participated in five victorious campaigns (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2019) but having not played the final in 2008, he only has four to his name. Silver salad bowls.

The winner of the duel between Spain and the Netherlands will meet the winner of the match between Canada (N.3) and Germany (N.5) who lines up without world No.2 Alexander Zverev. In the other part of the table, the quarter-finals will pit Jannik Sinner’s Italy, N.1 and defending champion, against Argentina (N.15) and the United States (N.4) against Australia (N.2).

Each confrontation takes place in the best of three matches: two singles followed by a possible double. The final is scheduled for Sunday in the city where another Spanish legend, the painter Pablo Picasso, was born.

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