Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: Rafa loses the first two points, but pulls one back at the end of a long rally. Terrific display of athleticism from both players there. 15-30 to Nadal. Makes it 30-all with a powerful backhand. Had Botic returned it, the point was his. But Nadal is pumped. What a second serve from Botic as Nadal failed to fashion a return. He is dejected. Match point for Botic. And he holds to seal a victory. And with that nadal loses his farewell match.

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 4-6 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: An effective ace down the T, packed with power and he remains alive in the game at 40-30. Holds serve.

Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 4-5 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: Botic concedes first two points, but fires an ace to pull one back with the fastest serve of the match. Levels it to 30-all. Makes it 40-3- with an ace down the T. And holds with another ace, his 8th in the match.

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 3-5 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: Nadal survives, saves break point to hold serve. For the first time in the match, he has won back-to-back games.

Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 3-4 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: The last time Nadal lost a Davis Cup match in Spain was almost two decade ago, in 2005, in a doubles match. Nadal earns the first break in the match in an hour and half. What an effort from Botic to save that. Nadal had him, almost, but Botic's court coverage was sensational. Another break point for Nadal, had the opportunity to go with the big forehand against the 2nd serve, but he squanders it. Carlos Moya looks dejected. A third opportunity presents Nadal. The game had already hit the 10-minute mark. AND HE DOES IT! NADAL BREAKS!

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 2-4 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: Nadal sets himself up for a win, but errs to hand Botic a big advantage. Chance to break for the second time in this set. Nadal survives with a huge 1st serve. 194 kmph down the T! Botic earns another break point with a forehand crosscourt return. Nadal gets broken for the second time.

Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 1-4 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: A huge, huge hold for Nadal. Just steals it from the Dutchman and he is finally up and running in the second set. That skyhook was absolutely special from Nadal and it re-energised him and the home crowd. Botic then holds serve comfortably

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 1-3 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: A fifth double fault from Botic in the match and Nadal goes 30-15 up. Bit ofa fist pump there from the Spaniard. But the Dutchman responds with two back-to-back huge first serves. Leads 40-30. Holds

Rafael Nadal 4-6, 0-2 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup Finals 2024 Live: Nadal already under pressure at the start of the second set. Botic is winning three-quarters of the points when more than 3 shots are played in a rally. There comes the skyhook! Absolutely unbelievable! Stretches Botic with the wide serve and completes with the volley. Nadal conceded the lead in the game and Botic breaks again

Rafael Nadal* 4-6, 0-1 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal is not quite timing his groundstrokes and hence it is dropping short and giving Botic the advantage. Holds to 15 to win the opening set.

Rafael Nadal 4-6 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Serve and volley, that is what has been working for Nadal so far. A forst double fault from Rafa. 15-all. Botic catches Nadal off guard with a clever forehand down the line and he takes a lead. Oh…the first break in the match. The Orange Army are on their feat. Nadal pulls one back. Its still 40-30 in favour of Botic. And the Dutchman does it. He breaks Nadal.

Rafael Nadal* 4-5 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal is one of the best defensive players on the tour. But this court, is about not playing that defensive game and rather bringing in more aggression. That is where Rafa will be tested. A 4th double fault in the match for Botic and Nadal finds himself at 30-40. Rafa sensing a bit of vulnerability, pounces on the second serve and wins the point. Deuce! Oh a big wide first serve - that's the response from Botic. And he holds!

Rafael Nadal 4-4 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal Slightly miss hits his backhand slice and Botic fires a forehand passing shot to pull one back at 15-30. Another impressive display of tennis from the 29-year-old. Leaves Nadal with no answer to that forehand return. Nadal bounces back with an ace. Botic, however, cramps him up for space in the backhand corner yet again and errs. Deuce. Nadal goes one up with another good first serve. Finally holds!

Rafael Nadal* 4-3 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Two deep returns, packed with power and Botic finds himself 30-0 up. Holds to 15 with an ace down the line. 215khmph that serve!.

Rafael Nadal 3-3 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: That celebration from Nadal…it definitely tells that there is a surge in confidence. Goes 40-0 up! The serve and volley tactice is looking very profitable from Nadal. Holds to love!

Rafael Nadal* 3-2 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: No error from the 29-year-old this time as he holds to love on his second service game.

Rafael Nadal 2-2 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Botic puts a bit too much power on the backhand as he approaches the net, but the ball sails over the baseline. 30-all. Nadal draws an error with his aggressive stance at the net. And he holds.

Rafael Nadal* 2-1 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: President of the Spanish tennis federation is also present at the venue for Nadal's final match. Nadal goes for the trademark forehand down the line, one of the most famous follow-throughs in the sport, but it goes wide. Botic up 40-0. Oh a double fault from the Dutchman. And then another! Nadal suddenly finds himself at 30-40. Goodness me! A third double fault! Botic finally wins on his second serve. Did look comfortable with his big forehand once he got into the rally. And he closes it.

Rafael Nadal 1-1 *Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Deep returns from Botic and Nadal's being pushed back early in the opening game. The Dutchman leads 30-15, before Nadal pulls back another following a backhand error from Botic. Now Nadal steps up, goes for the serve and volley and Botic errs. And he wins the first game.

Rafael Nadal* 1-0 Botic van de Zandschulp

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: And so it begins! Rafa serves. His family, including wife and son, is present in the stand.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal is all set for his singles match against Botic. The bottles are arranged. He has a word with Ferrer. Nadal will serve first as the Dutchman opted to recieve after winning the toss.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal gets emotional as crowd breaks into ‘Rafa’ chants. He waves at the crowd to acknowledge it as the camera also captures his family in the stand.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: It's time for the national anthem for the two teams. Netherlands go first. There are a considerable number of Dutch fans at the venue. That will be followed by Spain

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: The Netherlands players make their way into the venue in Malaga. The presenter announces each of the players. And now comes Team Spain. THERE IS NADAL!

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: The crowd in Malaga is all set for Nadal's farewell match. We are now just minutes away from the singles tie kicking off

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Here are some stills from Rafa's final practice session. Earlier on Monday, he was seen training with Alcaraz.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal will play the first match in Spain vs Netherlands.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Spain lead 6-2 in the head-to-head tie against the Netherlands in Davis Cup, although their last meeting was 20 years back, and it did feature a 17-year-old Nadal. The Spaniard lost the doubles with Tommy Robredo. Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero was the hero for Spain in thar match, winning two singles in their 4-1 win.

Meanwhile, current Netherlands captain Paul Haarhuis as part of the country's first-ever Davis Cup win against Spain, in 1993.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Spain take on Netherlands in the quarterfinal tie of Davis Cup Finals 2024. A win will take them to the semis on Friday, where they will face Germany or Canada. The other side of the draw has world no. 1 Jannik Sinner's Italy, the defending champions, along with the USA, Australia and Argentina.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: In another epic gesture for the Spanish tennis icon, Nike changed their social media pic on X to Mallorcan bull logo. They also shared a video on Rafa, with Nike owner doing the voiceover.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Babolat, the French sports equipment company, dropped an epic gesture for Nadal for the Davis Cup farewell match as they designed a stunning kit bag for the Spaniard, highlighting every key number that outlines his illustrious career, including '0 racquet broken.' Here are the numbers:

2 Olympic gold medals

5 Davis Cups

2 Australian Open

14 French Open

2 Wimbledon

4 US Open

36 Masters 1000

23 ATP 500

0 rackets broken

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Like Federer, Novak Djokovic too won't be present in Malaga for Nadal's farewell match. according to a report in Spanish sports daily Marca. However, the Serb will be present at the farewell ceremony in Spain, which will be held in the weekend if Spain win against Netherlands.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Federer may not be in Malaga for the farewell event, but he did not forget sharing a heartwarming message for his friend.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Rafa, who was present in London at the 2022 Laver Cup at the time of Federer's retirement, is unlikely to have the Swiss by his side today. Speaking to the press on Monday, the Spaniard said: "I didn't talk to Roger. I think Roger has a busy schedule. By the way, of course it's going to be my last week on the professional tour, but I don't think it's going to be my last goodbye. So there is going to be other chances to do something."

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Here are the numbers and statistics that define Nadal's illustrious career...

— 22 Grand Slam titles, second among men to Novak Djokovic's 24

—14 championships at the French Open, the most at any Grand Slam tournament by a man or woman

—112-4 career win-loss record at Roland Garros

—A career Grand Slam, including four titles at the U.S. Open and two apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open

—1,080-227 career record in tour-level singles matches entering Tuesday gives him the fourth-most wins among men in the Open era, which dates to 1968, behind Jimmy Connors (1,274), Roger Federer (1,251) and Djokovic (1,124)

—92 titles, the fifth most among men in the Open era, trailing Connors (109), Federer (103), Djokovic (99) and Ivan Lendl (94)

—Five years finishing at No. 1 in the rankings (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019) and eight years finishing at No. 2 (2005-07, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2020 and 2022)

—Two Olympic gold medals, in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: A "cocktail of injuries" left Nadal with no choice but to decide to hang his boots. In face, in the last two years, he has played only 23 matches, where he was affected by a hip injury in 2023 and an abdominal injury in 2024. Speaking in his retirement announcement video, Nadal had said: "The reality is that it has been some difficult years, the last two especially. I don't think I have been able to play without limitations."

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: It was on October 10 when Rafa took to social media to announce his retirement from professional tennis, saying that he will make his final appearance at the Davis Cup Finals for Spain. The 38-year-old, who won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, announced the news in a video message posted on X.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: The two have faced each other only twice on the ATP tour, both in 2022 in majors. Nadal won on both occasions.

2022 French Open, round of 32: 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

2022 Wimbledon, pre-quarters: 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(6)

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Botic has had a forgettable 2024, securing a win-loss record of 16-25. It saw him drop to 74 in the world ranking from a career-best 22 in 2022. His only notable performance came in the US Open second round when he defeated former champion Alcaraz in straight sets, ending the Spaniard's 15-match winning streak in majors. It was also the Dutchman's first top three win and first win against a Slam winner.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Rafa is a four-time Davis Cup winner, lifting the trophy in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019. While he lost in his Davis Cup singles debut in 2004, against Czechia’s Jiri Novak, he went on win his next 29 matches in a row, giving him an impressive win percentage of 96.7. He has played eight doubles matches in the tournament, and won four of them.

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal has played 19 matches this year, with a 12-7 win-loss record. His only appearance at a major was in the French Open, where he suffered a round-one exit against Alexander Zverev in straight sets, his earliest-ever exit at the tournament he won 14 times in his career. His last appearance was in the Paris Olympics in July

Rafael Nadal vs Botic van de Zandschulp Davis Cup 2024 Finals Live: Nadal will be playing the first point for Spain today. He will be up against Van de Zandschulp. Spain's No. 1 and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will face Tallon Griekspoor. The decider will be doubles between Spain's Marcel Granollers/Pedro Martinez and Netherlands' Wesley Koolhof/ Griekspoor.

According to the format of the Davis Cup, each tie will be decided by the best of three "rubbers", with "rubber" meaning an individual tennis contest between two singles competitors or two doubles pairs. Within each match there will be two singles rubbers and one doubles rubber.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the Davis Cup Finals match between Spain and Netherlands, where Rafael Nadal will play his final career match. Stay tuned for more updates!

Read Also: Rafael Nadal loses farewell match in Spain's Davis Cup tie as Botic van de Zandschulp ends Spaniard's staggering streak

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