RETIRING tennis superstar Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in a Davis Cup quarter-final singles rubber on Tuesday as the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead against Spain.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner will call time on his career in professional tennis at the end of Spain’s participation in the tournament in Malaga, after two injury-ravaged years.
Doubts hung over Nadal’s involvement until the official announcement from team captain David Ferrer confirmed he would play in the first singles rubber of the opening finals clash.
The 38-year-old appeared emotional during the Spanish national anthem, and fans filled the arena with chants of “Rafa, Rafa,” when it ended.
“I was having an emotional day, nerves before what could be my last singles match as a professional,” said Nadal.
“The emotions hearing the national anthem for the last time as a professional were very special.”
Nadal had won his last 29 Davis Cup singles matches out of 30 played — after debuting in the tournament in 2004 — and both of his prior clashes with the Dutchman.
However despite giving every ounce of his energy in the second set and buoyed by immense home support, Nadal fell short.
“In the beginning I think we were both nervous. The first service games didn’t go smoothly… the crowd was tough, understandably,” said Van de Zandschulp.
“That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain — he is probably the biggest sportsman here in Spain that ever lived.”
There was also a comparatively small but vocal sector of orange-clad Dutch fans roaring on their compatriot.
“It was unbelievable, I needed it — there were too many people from Spain here cheering for him,” added the Dutchman.
“I understand — if I was sitting next to the court I would have cheered for him as well.”
No doubt with his diminished physical condition in mind Nadal, ranked 154th in the world, attempted to keep points short, with big serves and occasional flashes of his lethal forehand, followed by a classic fist pump and roar.
World number 80 Van de Zandschulp sought to put Nadal on his backhand and the Spaniard struggled to return, with the indoor hard-court tournament a far from ideal surface for the record 14-time Roland Garros winning ‘King of Clay’.
The Dutchman opened up two break points at 4-4 and took the second with a fine cross-court winner to claim the lead, and then converted his second set point to dampen Spanish spirits.