Tennis Rafael Nadal begins to close his tennis story with Davis Cup defeat

This Tuesday was a day of contrasts in Spain. As part of the Davis Cup, Spain began looking for a new title, also knowing that this tournament would be the last in which they could see one of their biggest idols. .

Rafael Nadal announced at the beginning of October that the tournament organized in Malaga would be the last in which he would act as a professional. L. The constant injuries that plagued him in recent years led him to make this decision after a successful career.

In any case, the manacorí had decided to give everything if it was his turn to play. So, after a morning of uncertainty, it was finally confirmed that Nadal would be tasked with opening the key against the Netherlands.

“I can’t predict what will happen. If I’m on the field, I hope it doesn’t affect me, because ultimately I’m not here to retire. I’m here to try to help the team. Then, of course, this will be my last week on the professional circuit, but in the end we are here in a team competition . The most important thing here is to try to help the team and keep us all focused on what we need to do, which is play tennis,” he said before the match .

As soon as he entered the field, public recognition began. He was applauded when his name was announced in the stadium and when he entered the field. He even looked very excited during the anthem ceremony.

Of course, after all that, it was time to get ready and get back to focus. And that’s what he did, the first set remained quite balanced, Nadal trying to close the games as quickly as possible, pressing everything to avoid additional physical wear and tear.

Regardless, that surge faded in the ninth game. Botic Van de Zandschulp managed to have two break points and the peninsula could only defend one. Thus, the Dutchman took advantage of his serve to close the first set 6-4.

And the second set did not start favorably for the former world number one either. In a fiercely contested first match, Nadal ended up giving in once again to the power of his rival. And with the respective confirmation, the Spaniard led 2-0.

Another blow came in the fifth gamesat which point the Dutchman reached another break to lead 4-1. Hope appeared in the sixth game. The Manacorí got his first break opportunities and managed to discount to stay behind, but already 4-2 .

Regardless, the advantage favored the Netherlands, who had no major complications to close the second set 6-4 and give their country the first point.

Now, in the fight for equality in the series, Carlos Alcaraz will face Tallon Griekspoor . If the key is equal, the passage to the next round will be defined in the doubles where the participation of Alcaraz alongside Marcel Granollers is envisaged, while the representatives of the Netherlands will be Wesley Koolhof and Van De Zandschulp.