Like his partner in court conquering, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal closed out his illustrious career with a crushing loss in Davis Cup finals knockout round to Botic Van de Zandschulp 46 46.
Federer lost his final match in Laver Cup two years ago with Nadal to Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
The 38 year old 22 time Grand Slam champion showed flashes of his tennis brilliance playing attacking aggressive tennis, successfully serving and volleying and unleashing his renowned forehand missiles. Rafa’s energy and passion and desire to win were as strong as his early ATP years, punctuating winners with uppercut fist pumps and extreme facial expressions of relentless fury.
But Rafa’s heavy grunting and furious, relentless struggle was overcome by the stoic and silent Dutch sniper. He had a job to do, assassinate the Spanish hero on his home court in Malaga. And that’s just what he did with his sensational play.
The Netherlands team fully supported their player with animated cheering, lead by the captain Paul Haarhuis, the doubles legend most famous for losing to Jimmy Connors in five sets at US Open. Interestingly, Haarhuis showed more fire and emotion as a Davis Cup captain than he did in that epic Connors loss.
Spain went on to lose in the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers vs Wesley Koolhof and Botic. Carlos won the second singles match vs Tallon Greikspoor, so Spain has been eliminated.
The post match tribute was an emotional rollercoaster with a long speech of gratitude from Rafa who refused to break down in tears, not even when a touching video tribute was presented featuring Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Del Potro. At the end of the ceremony, Rafa thanked the crowd again for all the affection and love and walked off the court and through a tunnel.
Curiously, Uncle Toni Nadal was not present at the event and was not included in the video tribute.
Rafa finishes his career with 92 titles, 22 Grand Slams, 1080-228 match record and over $134m in prize money. His record this year is 12-8.
Babolat · Botic van de Zandschulp · Nike · Rafael Nadal · Spain
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Scoop Malinowski · November 20, 2024 at 9:52 am
Wonder if Rafa made the decision, not Ferrer, to play singles because he felt like he had a better chance to win in singles than a live doubles match. And if he pulled himself out of the doubles with Carlos because of lack of confidence? And if he underestimated Botic. Rumors are that Federer and Djokovic were going to attend later in the week assuming Spain would beat the heavy underdog Netherlands team but all that is moot at this point. F Lo, Moya, Ferrero, Gimeno Traver, Marc Lopez, all there but curiously no Verdasco or Uncle Toni.
Steve · November 23, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Would have preferred to see him play doubles with Alcaraz and let RBA do his thing in singles but it was a great send-off.
Scoop Malinowski · November 23, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Rafa had his choices and picked singles, he’s been subpar in doubles for years.