Potential Bittersweet Farewell for Nadal

Rafael Nadal, Spain's greatest sportsman, played what might be the final singles match of his career amidst the backdrop of the Davis Cup, with over 10,000 spectators at the Martín Carpena and constant chants of "Rafa, Rafa!"

He couldn't close this chapter with a victory, falling to Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4. However, this defeat might become anecdotal if Carlos Alcaraz and the doubles team with Marcel Granollers manage to turn the tie around, and it cannot overshadow the farewell of the greatest.

Nadal, accompanied by his teammates and a supportive banner for Valencia, entered the arena whole but soon broke into tears upon hearing the Spanish anthem, perhaps for the last time. Those notes, which have often followed his triumphs, now served as a prelude.

As soon as they ceased, the arena erupted with chants of his name, while the stands displayed "Thank you for everything, Rafa." The organisers also paid tribute by introducing him during the warm-up as they do at Roland Garros, listing all his triumphs with a roar from the crowd between each Roland Garros title.

The 14 eruptions, from 2005 to 2022, were echoed by the 10,000 Spaniards in Málaga. The remaining 1,000 Dutch fans stayed crouched, almost as nervous as Van de Zandschulp, who bore the villain's label on his chest.

In his racket lay the possibility of being the man to retire Nadal, ending a streak of 32 consecutive Davis Cup victories, and becoming the second man in history, after Jiri Novak in 2005, to defeat Nadal in singles in this competition.

Doubts about Nadal were evident. Until Monday night, it was uncertain if he would play, compounded by nearly four months of inactivity in professional matches. His last official match was at the Paris Olympics against Djokovic, and since then, he only played two exhibition matches, against Alcaraz and again against the Serbian.

Expectations for his level weren't too high, although the emotion of the moment urged belief in another miracle. Van de Zandschulp is not Djokovic, not by a long shot, but the inactivity and circumstances—cement court and indoor, where Nadal has only won one title in his career (Madrid Masters in 2005)—gave him a slight advantage, which he increased as the match began.

Nadal was trailing, encountering the Dutchman's serve at crucial moments and his own inconsistency when it was time to endure.

Despite holding his own until 4-4, his seams showed on the first two break points. He saved the first due to the Dutchman's haste, but on the second, he rushed to the net and was passed, which minutes later translated into a 6-4 scoreline.

This set was a blow for Nadal and Málaga, who faced the reality that Nadal, at 38, struggles. Van de Zandschulp seized the opportunity and won the first two games of the second set.

When Nadal emerged from the slump and made it 2-1, the crowd roared again, seeing glimpses of the combative and explosive Nadal of old, but his resilience now only flickers.

The Dutchman had 4-1 and serve, and Nadal, to the delight of the crowd, fought back to 4-3 and 0-30. It was the last chance, like that cannon shot against Djokovic in Paris to level from 4-0 to 4-4. However, Van de Zandschulp hit four consecutive serves, halted the comeback, and took the decisive step for the most important victory of his career.

Pending the outcome of the rest of the tie and the tournament, this could be the last match in Rafa Nadal's career. Alcaraz and Granollers can still change that.