Rafael Nadal may have played the last match of his career after his defeat against Botic Van de Zandschulp

The second defeat of his career in Davis Cup singles

Five games went in favor of the 80th in the world, time for him to lead 6-4, 2-0. Direct or induced errors (16 in total in the first set) piled up on the local hero’s stats sheet, for only 4 winning forehands, a pittance. Pushed by an entire people, with blows ” If possible ! » (“If it’s possible!”), Nadal stopped the bleeding by winning a grueling and oh-so-important service game to return to 2-1. But the effort cost him another break two games later. Faithful to its inexorable refusal to abdicate, and supported by the «Spain, Spain! » from the Palacio Deportes José Maria Martin Carpena, Nadal erased a ball from 5-1, then another from 5-2, to stay in contact at 4-3, Van de Zandschulp service: a double fault, a good return from the Spaniard and the idea of ​​yet another “Rafa”-style overthrow was gaining ground. Her opponent’s three aces immediately chased her away.