Staring into space, as if lost under his white cap, Rafael Nadal drowns in his thoughts while the Dutch team begins a crazy saraband. That’s it, it’s over.
The Spaniard’s immense career, spanning three decades and dotted with, among other things, 22 Grand Slam titles, ended Tuesday evening just after midnight at the edge of the central court of the Malaga Sports Palace. Excited spectator, involved but helpless of the defeat in the decisive doubles of his compatriots Marcel Granollers and Carlos Alcaraz against the Dutch pair Koolhof/van de Zandschulp (7-6, 7-6) in the quarter-final of the Davis Cup.
The Iberians had their chance, their fate depended on details. As if fate had decided to play a bad trick on the Majorcan champion. A little earlier in the afternoon, the former world No. 1, a little short of everything at 38 years old and with a body in disarray, had placed his compatriots in an unfortunate position by losing his final single on the circuit professional against van de Zandschulp (6-4, 6-4).
The Netherlands play spoiler to team Spain and Rafael Nadal’s career is officially over
7-6(4) 7-6(3) Koolhof/Botic vs Granollers/Alcaraz
Koolhof the MVP of this match with tremendous hand skills.
Now time to celebrate the legendary career of Rafa
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) November 19, 2024
“I lost my first singles in the Davis Cup, and the last (two defeats in 31 matches), he forced himself to smile. The circle is closed. If I were captain, I wouldn’t be played in the next match…” Unfortunately for Spain, which dreamed of a happy ending for the greatest sportsman in its history, there will be no tomorrow. Cruel, so cruel.
After getting his team back on track by beating Griekspoor (7-6 (0), 6-3) in the second singles “for Rafa”, Carlos Alcaraz was not able to carry out his mission to the end. In an unbreathable double of an incredible level, the Dutchman Koolhof, impressive, postponed his own retirement by a few days to precipitate that of the Bull of Manacor. It was he who held the house together, even when the Spaniards thought they had done the hardest part by achieving the break at the start of the second set.
“I was very lucky to feel so much affection”
However, everything was planned for a grand weekend and some celebrations around the legend. The party will have been cut short. “Ideal endings are in American films,” said the man at the 14th Roland-Garros in the preamble to the competition. He probably didn’t think he was saying that well.
Alone in the middle of the court, and applauded by the public to the sound of “Rafa, Rafa”, Nadal, once Spain’s defeat was complete, then grabbed the microphone not without perceptible emotion. “I have so many people to thank that it’s hard for me to start,” he explains. I will start with those who are here, sincerely, it’s been 20 years of professional career during which you have always supported me, in good times and in bad, you have pushed me to continue fighting. I was very lucky to feel so much affection from all over the world, especially Spain. »
With great lucidity and his legendary fair play, he continued. “I also want to congratulate the Dutch team and I want to thank the whole Spanish team that is here. It’s clear that it didn’t turn out the way we all would have liked, but I gave what I had and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to get through these days as a professional within a team, he slips. It’s with them that I experienced many of the most exciting moments of my career, we made the most of it and now it’s up to you (his teammates) to continue. »
