Rafael Nadal lost the Davis Cup Finals match, falling to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4. The veteran picked the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga as his final event in a career, ending his incredible journey after over two decades on the Tour.
Nadal is among the ultimate Davis Cup warriors, having suffered only two defeats since 2004 and always leaving everything on the court in the national jersey. Rafa could not hide emotions during the national anthem ahead of his duel, listening it with tears in his eyes.
An emotional anthem for @RafaelNadal 🥹#DavisCup | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/wZNt3kmB9x
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
Rafa’s final chapter
Nadal injured his left hip at last year’s Australian Open, ruining the closing stages of an incredible career. The veteran missed the rest of the season and made a comeback push this year, playing 20 matches and winning 12. However, he needed more pace on the most notable scene, including Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Rafa reached his first ATP final in over two years in Bastad, which was not enough to motivate him. The king of clay scored five wins in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, but he lacked the old speed and anticipation that made him the greatest clay-courter in history.
The 14-time Roland Garros winner fell to Alexander Zverev in the first round on Court Philippe-Chatrier, giving everything but experiencing his earliest defeat at the beloved Major. With no luck in the draw, Rafa battled against Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Olympic Games.
Novak beat Rafa 6-1, 6-4 in their 60th and last match, and the Spaniard withdrew from the US Open. He announced his retirement in October, picking the Davis Cup Finals as his final event in a career.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Nadal’s second Davis Cup loss
Eager to make one last push in the national jersey, Rafa trained ahead of Malaga without insisting on competing. However, David Ferrer picked him to play against the Netherlands, and Nadal faced Botic van de Zandschulp for the third time. Many things have changed since 2022, and the Dutch player took advantage of that.
Botic broke Rafa three times and dropped serve once in the second set, controlling the pace from 4-4 in the opener and ousting the legend. Nadal fought well before dropping serve at the end of the opener and the beginning of set number two. He pulled one break back, reducing the gap to 4-3.
Still, his rival stayed composed and moved over the top with a hold in game ten, delivering Nadal’s first Davis Cup defeat in over two decades!