Rafael Nadal loses at the Davis Cup in what could be his last match before retirement

Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz volition look No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor successful the different singles, and if the best-of-three bid remains tied, it volition beryllium Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers for Spain against van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof for the Netherlands successful the deciding doubles.

A imagination commencement successful Malaga for @Boticvdz and @KNLTB 🇳🇱#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/yDI59NXZpn

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024

Spain volition play again successful Friday’s semifinal if it rallies to decision the Dutch.

Earlier, Nadal spot his little articulator and his eyes scanned the stands arsenic helium stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s nationalist anthem Tuesday earlier what helium — and everyone — knew mightiness beryllium the past lucifer of his career, a nonaccomplishment to van de Zandschulp.

There were nary tears streaming down Nadal’s cheeks, nary outward motion of what this infinitesimal meant to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, adjacent amid the roars of a sign- and flag-toting crowd, mostly present for 1 subordinate and 1 subordinate only. Nadal said beforehand that the emotions would request to wait, that this week was astir attempting to assertion 1 past rubric for his country, not astir his impending retirement.

The 38-year-old Spaniard announced past period this lawsuit would beryllium it for him arsenic a nonrecreational tennis subordinate aft 2 years of injuries that constricted him to competing lone sparingly, but nary 1 could beryllium definite if that extremity would get successful Tuesday’s quarterfinals oregon aboriginal successful the Davis Cup Final 8, which wraps up Sunday.

Nadal’s decision successful the opening contention was lone the commencement of the best-of-three Spain vs. Netherlands matchup, followed by No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz against No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor aboriginal Tuesday, and doubles, too, if the teams were tied 1-all aft singles.

So it was up to Nadal’s countrymen to widen his career. If Spain managed to beforehand to the semifinals, Nadal’s playing days could continue. If the Netherlands were to win, helium would beryllium finished.