Rafael Nadal of Spain greets spectators at the end of the quarterfinals against the Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP
Rafael Nadal was defeated by Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the last match of his career on Tuesday despite raucous support from adoring fans. Despite moments of undeniable class, the King of Clay failed to conjure his old magic as the 22-times Grand Slam champion lost a Davis Cup singles for the first time in 20 years.
On an emotionally-charged evening, the 38-year-old played the opening rubber of the quarterfinals tie but lost 6-4, 6-4.
Spain's new tennis king Carlos Alcaraz levelled the tie by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 and had Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers beaten Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp, the hosts would have kept hopes of a fairytale ending to Nadal's career alive by reaching Friday's semifinals.
But it was not to be. Koolhof, also playing the last event of his career, played valiantly to inspire the Dutch to a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) win and silence the cheering Spanish fans.
Nadal willed the Spanish duo on from the sidelines, barely sitting down, but looked crestfallen as the reality that he would not get another chance began to sink in.
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot in the men's singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals quarterfinals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP
The Mallorcan, who has featured in four Davis Cup winning teams for Spain, had won 29 of his previous 30 singles in the team event, his only previous loss in his first tie in 2004.
Nadal, who last month announced he was ending his glittering career after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, showed flashes of his former brilliance, but could not muster the same form that allowed him to dominate the men's game for two decades.
Injuries, including hip surgery, meant he was playing only his 24th match since the start of 2023. He struggled to hold off the powerful Dutchman who admitted afterwards that he would have been clapping for Nadal had he not been required to face him on the court.
Nadal shed tears as the anthems were played before the tie and was given a standing ovation after defeat.
Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands celebrates after he and Botic van de Zandschulp defeat Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers of Spain in the men's doubles match in the Davis Cup Finals quarterfinals in Malaga, Spain, November 19, 2024. /CFP
Alcaraz duly levelled the tie by defeating Griekspoor, saying he had "done it for Rafa" but he could not inspire a Spanish win in the doubles as the Dutch went through.
Nadal was philosophical after his singles defeat.
"In some ways it is good, maybe, if that was my last match because I lost my first match in the Davis Cup and I lost my last one. We close the circle," he said.
His fans in Malaga, many of whom wore scarves with "Gracias Rafa" on them, stood to salute him at gone midnight in a special presentation to Spain's greatest sportsman.
Earlier in the day Roger Federer, Nadal's great rival and close friend, had published a letter he sent to the Spaniard.
"Let's start with the obvious: you beat me – a lot. More than I managed to beat you," the Swiss 20-times Grand Slam champion said. "You challenged me in ways no one else could."