Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup Finals farewell begins with singles defeat ...

Updated 19/11/2024 at 20:06 GMT

Rafael Nadal suffered a disappointing straight-sets, 6-4 6-4, defeat at the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp as Netherlands took the early lead in their Davis Cup Finals tie with Spain and quietened the home fans in Malaga.

The stage had been set for an electrifying retirement party for the Spanish hero, who will bow out from the sport at the conclusion of his team's progress in the event, but Van de Zandschulp had other ideas.

Carlos Alcaraz will now need to win his singles rubber against Tallon Griekspoor and the doubles alongside Marcel Granollers in order for Spain to progress and extend the Nadal farewell.

Nadal had only ever lost once when representing his country at the Davis Cup and the fans were determined not to let that happen again as he served first with deafening support and proceeded to get on the board with a solid hold.

It was clear that the pressure of the occasion was getting to Van de Zandschulp as he committed three double-faults in succession in his opening service game, but he showed impressive resolve to still come through.

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The first break of serve came in the ninth game, and it was the Spanish fans who were left crushed as Van de Zandschulp pounced to seize the advantage.

The 29-year-old, who is ranked at No. 80 in the world, proceeded to close out the opening set with aplomb, and he carried that momentum into the second with an immediate break of serve.

The chants of "Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!" continued, but they grew increasingly desperate as the Dutchman swiftly established a commanding lead in the second set with a double-break over Nadal.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who will retire from tennis after representing his nation at the men's team event, did manage to claw back a break of his own to extend the set and give the home fans hope, but it did not last long.

Once Van de Zandschulp had closed out the comfortable victory, Nadal was left to receive another moving ovation from the fans and leave the stage for Alcaraz to try to win back the tie for Spain.

Nadal was quoted as telling reporters after the match: "I feel this was my last professional singles match. I lost my first and my last Davis Cup singles match."

Van de Zandschulp said in his victorious on-court interview: "At the beginning, I think we were both nervous. The crowd was tough, understandably.

"That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He is probably the biggest sportsman in Spain to have ever lived.

"I have to say it is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last. I felt I was hoping a bit more than going for it. I went for it and it helped in the end."

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