Rafael Nadal could be headed to retirement after losing opening match at the Davis Cup
Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup in what may have been the last match of his career
By TALES AZZONI
Published - Nov 19, 2024, 01:37 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:19 PM EST
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup on Tuesday in what may have been the last match of the Spaniard's career.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is retiring from professional tennis after the team event in Malaga, and Nadal will not get to play again if Spain loses the second singles match against the Netherlands later Tuesday.
Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz will face No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor in the other singles, and if the best-of-three series remains tied, it is scheduled to be be Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers for Spain against van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof for the Netherlands in the deciding doubles.
Spain will play again in Friday's semifinal if it rallies to defeat the Dutch.
