Spain makes a surprise exit in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup taking place in Malaga. Doubles were decisive: Wesley Koolhof and Botic Van De Zandschulp beat the pair of Carlos Alcaraz and Marcell Granollers 7-6 7-6.
In previous matches Rafa Nadal lost to Botic Van De Zandschulp while Alcaraz prevailed over Tallon Griekspoor. Strong disappointment from the home crowd. Spain’s exit from the tournament also represents the end of Rafa Nadal’s career on the court.
Goodbye, Rafa
Nadal won his first major title in 2005 at his first French Open, two days after turning 19. He won his last one, the 14th Roland Garros, 17 years later. Nadal amassed 92 titles and was a two-time Olympic gold medalist despite playing in an era that also boasted Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the other two members of tennis’s dominant “Big Three” for more than a decade. Federer faced Nadal in 14 Grand Slam finals winning just four, the Swiss finishing his career with 20 majors, two fewer than the Spaniard. Nadal’s physical playing style has had a negative impact: injury has ruled him out of at least 11 Grand Slam events. But he continued to react. After the second half of his 2021 season was wiped out, he returned to break Federer’s record at the 2022 Australian Open and added a 22nd major at the French Open just after his 36th birthday. “If you don’t lose, you can’t enjoy the victories. You have to accept both things,” Nadal said