Ghostly, the living Spanish legend suffered the law of the Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp (6-4, 6-4) this Tuesday, in Malaga, during the first match of the quarter-finals.
Rafael Nadal lost his first match in 2004, before going on a fabulous series of 29 consecutive victories in this event until 2019. Swept (6-4, 6-4) in less than two hours, he lost what could be the last match of his career, if Spain is eliminated this Tuesday by the Netherlands in the quarter-final. Before his retirement, Rafael Nadal was lined up from the start to get his team off to a good start. The Mallorcan, four-time winner of the event with La Roja, had dominated the 80th in the world twice in two matches. But this off-topic Nadal did not have the weapons this Tuesday.
Very moved as soon as the Spanish anthem sounded, the Bull of Manacor, overcome by emotions, timid on the court, was only a shadow of himself. The left-hander had not played in an official tournament since the Paris Games this summer. And his lack of competition and rhythm was obvious, especially in the first set. Despite the “Rafa, Rafa, Rafa!” », the former world number one failed to free himself. Very ineffective in return, his strikes lacked bite despite an opponent who was also very feverish (3 double faults in the first act). But the Dutchman, more enterprising, broke at the best moment in the ninth game and logically concluded straight away (6-4).
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The former world number 22, more relaxed, chained five consecutive games to come away 2-0. Helpless, still imprecise and uncertain in his movements, the Spaniard conceded another break in the fifth game of the second set to find himself leading 6-4, 4-1. Always pushed by his audience, the four-time winner of the event tried to free himself. In the very tough, the warrior woke up and managed to break in the sixth game against Botic Van de Zandschulp, who was once again tense. Clenched fist, Nadal erased another break point with a furious smash in the seventh game. A short-lived respite. The big Batavian server chained three aces in the eighth game to lead 5-3.
After Nadal's defeat, Spain, led 1-0, has its back against the wall. World number 3 Carlos Alcaraz must absolutely dominate Tallon Griekspoor (40th) to force the decisive double that the locals will have to win. So that the last dance of the man with 22 Grand Slam titles does not come to an abrupt end this Tuesday.
