No happy ending to the end of your career!
Tennis star Rafael Nadal lost the last match of his unique career in Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final duel with the Netherlands. The 38-year-old lost to Botic van de Zandschulp 4:6,4:6 in Malaga on Tuesday despite a frenetic crowd.
Although Carlos Alcaraz equalized with a 7:6 (0), 6:3 win against Tallon Griekspoor, the subsequent double went to the Dutch. Nadal’s professional career is over.
“It feels like this is my last professional singles,” Nadal said after his first appearance at his farewell tournament. He should be right. With Spain’s elimination, the career of one of the most successful players in tennis history comes to an end. Nadal can look back on 22 Grand Slam titles and 36 Masters 1000 triumphs, with 14 triumphs in Roland Garros, the Mallorcan French Open record winner. He has won all the important tournaments in the tennis world.
Nadal lost his opening singles
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Even before he had even entered the Center Court at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena, the first shouts of “Rafa, Rafa” were echoing through the arena. There was deafening cheers when the Mallorcan was introduced; Nadal was already clearly struggling with his emotions at this point. The Spanish tennis legend’s eyes moistened when the national anthem played.
In the first set, neither Nadal nor Van de Zandschulp showed any weakness until it was 4:4, then the Dutchman earned two break points and used the second to make it 5:4. He then served without any problems. In the second set, Nadal, who was clearly having difficulties, had to reach the level of world number 80. to call, to fight in all his service games. The 22-time Grand Slam winner gave up the first and third.
When the score was 1:4, the Mallorcan made up for a break and then fought his way back to 3:4. Afterwards, however, the old star was no longer able to take the service from his opponent; Van de Zandschulp gave “Oranje” a 1-0 lead. “I went out there, tried to do my best and have fun, play with the right energy and the right attitude, but it just didn’t work out,” Nadal said.
Alcaraz equalized in singles and lost doubles
Alcaraz then provided the expected equalizer. The world number three had some problems against Griekspoor in the first set and was one break behind, but won the round in the tiebreak to zero. The favorite remained safe in the second set. “It’s an emotional day. It’s a very important tournament for me, for everyone here,” explained Alcaraz. “I tried to play my best tennis to win. And yes, I did it for Rafa.”
In the doubles with Granollers, the 21-year-old had to admit defeat against Van de Zandschulp/Wesley Koolhof. The Dutch won twice in the tie-break with 7:6(4),7:6(3).
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