Nadal’s fight never went out even during defeat in his final match on Tuesday. (Reuters)
When you think of Rafael Nadal’s incredible ability to fight for every point like his depended on it, you think of the famous Nike advert. The one where it is Nadal one side of the court running around the court and the other side keeps cutting to various other opponents… and in the end the voiceover adds: “Is he going to play every point like that?”
From the time he broke through beating Carlos Moya as a 16-year-old phenom to the last ever match of his career, the answer to that question remained a resounding “yes”.
Sure enough, Nadal could not conjure the fairytale ending his career deserved as the Spanish 22-times Grand Slam champion bowed out with defeat in the Davis Cup on an emotionally-charged and tearful night in Malaga on Tuesday. The 38-year-old’s legs and mind were as willing as ever but the magic was missing as he lost 6-4 6-4 to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in what proved to be his final competitive match.
What a point from @RafaelNadal and @Boticvdz 🤯
That crowd reaction too 🔥#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/AiTJStT2YC
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024
But even so, Nadal’s fight never went out. He hasn’t been regular on the tour, had fallen outside the top 150 in the world rankings and in the lead-up to the Davis Cup Finals, wasn’t even sure if he was going to play singles. But after a late confirmation that he will, Nadal showed sparks of his best.
Like the point in the 2nd set, where he was a set and a break down, and fighting to hold serve at 0-2. But he came up with a stunning rally that included his signature forehand followthroughs, a running-behind-overhead-hook and delicious a forehand jab… that all ended with a huge roar.
Carlos Alcaraz levelled the quarter-final tie beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0) 6-3. In the decisive doubles, Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp prevailed 7-6(4) 7-6(3) against Alcaraz and Granollers.
Bonus viewing: Here’s the iconic Nike ad:
