Davis Cup Finals LIVE!
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday night bid an emotional farewell to tennis as Spain were knocked out of the Davis Cup by Netherlands.
The sporting great was tearful ahead of his singles match as he listened to the Spain national anthem, but found in Botic van de Zandschulp an opponent too tough to overcome and lost his first Davis Cup match for the first time in two decades.
"I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one," Nadal said. "So we close the circle."
He needed Carlos Alcaraz to force a double decider, which the world no3 did by beating Tallon Griekspoor, but Netherlands roared back to win via two tiebreaks. Nadal said after his defeat that, if he were his team's captain, he would not pick himself given his level of performance against his 80th-ranked opponent.
He said: “I tried to do my best. I tried to, at the same time, stay as positive as possible in every single moment, to play with the right energy. It was not enough. Congrats to Botic. That's all. He was better than me."
Spain vs Netherlands latest news
- Now: Spain vs Netherlands doubles decider
- Griekspoor 6-7 3-6 Alcaraz
- Van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 Nadal
- How to watch: Tennis Channel
Rafael Nadal speaking to the crowd
23:33 , Alex Young"You never want to get to this point. I'm not tired of playing tennis.
“The body has reached a point where it doesn't want to go on and I have to accept the situation.
“I feel privileged to have extended my career longer than I expected. Thanks to life and to my team".
Credit to Netherlands, who were deserved winners in the double-decider after recovering from going a break down early in the second set.
They broke back, almost won it before the tiebreaker, and then saw off Spain with relative ease.
So, it’s over for Nadal.
There wil be no Hollywood ending.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 7-6 Alcaraz/Granollers
23:05 , Alex YoungThey’ve done it! Netherlands win and they send Spain out, ending Nadal’s career!
Nadal just stares into the middle distance from the sidelines.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-6 (6-3)* Alcaraz/Granollers
23:03 , Alex YoungKoolhof sends his first into the net, but the second is too strong for Alcaraz!
Match point, Spain on serve.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 6-6 (5-3) Alcaraz/Granollers
23:02 , Alex YoungMillimetres! Alcaraz thought it was out but Van de Zandschulp finds the white and they are two points away.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 6-6 (4-3) Alcaraz/Granollers
23:01 , Alex YoungNetherland at the net against serve. Alcaraz was flat-footed!
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-6 (3-3)* Alcaraz/Granollers
23:00 , Alex YoungGranollers on serve and it’s a fierce one. Honours even.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-6 (3-2)* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:59 , Alex YoungThunderous ace from Netherlands.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 6-6 (2-2) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:59 , Alex YoungGranollers sends one inches long. All square.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 6-6 (1-2) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:58 , Alex YoungKoolhof into the net, advantage Spain.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-6 1-1* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:57 , Alex YoungSpain hit back.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-6 1-0* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:57 , Alex YoungFirst blood to Netherlands.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 6-6 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:56 , Alex YoungMagic from Alcaraz and we are heading to a tiebreak!
A thunderous piledriver over the net and then a stunning reaction volley at the net, after the Dutch had taken a 15-30 lead.
Spain must hold their serve to keep Nadal’s career alive and force a tiebreak.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 6-5* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:51 , Alex YoungVan de Zandschulp sends a blistering ace past Alcaraz, and then another is too hot for him to handle. 30-love to the Dutch.
Granollers suffers the same fate on the third and Van de Zandschulp holds to love with a second ace for the game.
Just stunning nerve.
Nadal is in furious and rampant discussions on the sidelines with his coach. Dutch back on serve.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 5-5 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:49 , Alex YoungKoolhof is on fire as he steadies himself to fire past a hesitant Granollers for the first point of the game.
It’s Alcaraz on serve and he can only find the net after Koolhof sends one back onto his forehand.
Two points for the Dutch to end Nadal’s career.
Reprieve for Spain as Alcaraz sends down an ace. And then Granollers levels it up with a block shot at the net.
Another ace from Alcaraz. He is stepping up when Nadal, and his country, need him most. One more needed and one more comes!
What a response from the world no3!
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 5-4* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:43A stunning hold to love from the Dutch and Spain are officially nervous.
Spain back on serve and simply must hold.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 4-4 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:41 , Alex YoungThe Dutch fans are starting to drown out the Spanish, and that’s before Netherlands earn two huge break points.
The first is wasted, Granollers’ serve is too strong for Van de Zandschulp... but the second is good!
A huge break!
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 3-4* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:36 , Alex YoungThe Dutch are the pair who look more in control on serve, which is quite the change up from just a few games ago. They hold to 15.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 2-4 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:33 , Alex YoungSpain hold and they can start to sense the second set win.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 2-3* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:27 , Alex YoungA semi-comfortable hold for the Dutch.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 1-3 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:23 , Alex YoungA double fault from Granollers is not the momentum killer Spain were looking for after that break as they fall love-30 down.
Spain rally again to level it up but a stunning Koolhof return hands the Dutch a break point! But they cannot capitalise and Spain see out the service game.
That was a real scare for Spain.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 1-2* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:17 , Alex YoungA huge break!
Van de Zandschulp back on serve and Netherlands are weaker for it as Spain storm into a 15-40 lead.
Two big break points, Nadal is back on his feet... and both go begging. It’s Koolhof vs Alcaraz and again the Dutchman comes out on top.
Another break point after Deuce, and this time they do it! Alcaraz with a stunning return to Van de Zandschulp’s serve.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *7-6 1-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
22:12 , Alex YoungSpain cannot afford an early break and Netherlands threaten just that with two smart returns, but Alcaraz weathers the storm.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 1-0* Alcaraz/Granollers
22:07 , Alex YoungNetherlands back on serve as the second set begins and they are purring with confidence, racing into a 30-love lad.
Alcaraz pegs them back with two big returns but the Dutch quickly see out the service.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 7-6 (7-4) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:03 , Alex YoungWell, well, well! Granollers sends the return long and the Dutch take the first set!
Squeaky bum time for Nadal.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (6-4) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:02 , Alex YoungTwo sets points for the Dutch as Koolhof fires home a volley at the net.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (5-4) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:01 , Alex YoungKoolhof, that is stunning. He forces Alcaraz into a mistake and the Duch take the lead.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 6-6* (4-4) Alcaraz/Granollers
22:00An ace from Alcaraz.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 6-6* (4-3) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:59 , Alex YoungKoolhof with an ace.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (3-3) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:58 , Alex YoungA stunning lob from Alvaraz and we are all square.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (3-2) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:57 , Alex YoungAn ace from Granollers.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 6-6* (3-1) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:57 , Alex YoungWhatever Koolhof can do, Van de Zandschulp can do better! A beauty of a backhand return.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 6-6* (2-1) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:56 , Alex YoungSpain reply after a shank from Koolhoof.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (2-0) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:55 , Alex YoungA long return from Spain and Dutch double up.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *6-6 (1-0) Alcaraz/Granollers
21:55 , Alex YoungA stunning return from Koolhof and it’s first blood to the Dutch.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 6-6* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:54 , Alex YoungNetherlands hold as, as the game clock ticks past an hour, we’re going to a first-set tiebreak.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *5-6 Alcaraz/Granollers
21:50 , Alex YoungSpain back on serve and smarting from that missed break point, and are missing a bit on composure as they fall 15-30 down after Koolhof smacks the ball into Granollers.
The Spaniard replies with a thunderous ace and then follows up with a great drop-volley to regain the lead. Alcaraz finishes the job.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 5-5* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:44 , Alex YoungOne of the best returns of the match so far from Granollers to halve the deficit before Van de Zandschulp pulled out another of his double faults to level at 30-30.
Granollers can’t do the same trick twice down the line, but Alcaraz is on hand to force Deuce before Van de Zandschulp produces another double fault! He must be in double figures for today.
It’s suddenly set point as Granollers charges down at the net but Alcaraz can’t complete the job and Netherlands again eek out a hold. Great entertainment and Nadal is up and down like a yo-yo.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *4-5 Alcaraz/Granollers
21:34 , Alex YoungAlcaraz back on serve and Spain, unsurprisingly look in far more control when he is - with Granollers proving potent at the net.
An ace wraps up the hold.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 4-4* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:30 , Alex YoungAnother real battle between, with Koolhof on serve and firing in big serves but Spain are more than a match to force another break point.
Another missed opportunity though as Alvaraz sends it into the net and then the Dutch again regain their composure and see out the service.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *3-4 Alcaraz/Granollers
21:22 , Alex YoungGranollers makes a hash of a net approach, clearing the court with power when a simple volley would have sufficed.
Spain level it up but a fantastic disguised block shot from Koolhof sends his opponents the wrong way and earns a break point.
However, Van de Zandschulp sends the return long to prompt a celebration from Nadal. Spain regain control and see out a difficult service game.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 3-3* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:15 , Alex YoungBetter from Van de Zandschulp, who produces four big first serves to send Spain scrambling and unable to return.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *2-3 Alcaraz/Granollers
21:11 , Alex YoungSpain are making far less of a meal out of their service games. Alcaraz on serve and not giving the Dutch much chance to return.
It’s a hold to 15.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 2-2* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:08 , Alex YoungAnother battle for the Dutch and Alcaraz and Granollers twice force them into errors before Koolhof sees out the service game with a powerful ace.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *1-2 Alcaraz/Granollers
21:03 , Alex YoungA love hold for Spain, who made that look remarkably easy compared to their Dutch counterparts.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp 1-1* Alcaraz/Granollers
21:01 , Alex YoungVan de Zandschulp is having trouble with those first serves again, and gives away a double fault to hand the Spanish a first break point.
Alcaraz goes for an audacious lob, which is gobbled up by Koolhof at the net. Another flimsy first serves from, but the Netherlands eventually see out the service game.
Koolhof/Van de Zandschulp *0-1 Alcaraz/Granollers
20:54It turns out Spain will serve first, and its Alcaraz with it. Routine start to the match for the Spanish pair, who hold to 15..
Netherlands win the toss and will serve first.
Right then, almost time for this doubles decider.
Carlos Alcaraz on his win
20:36 , Alex Young"I started pretty well. It's just a game where I lost focus a little bit, I let him make the break so I had to stay here.
“I tried to stay positive. I had my chances that I couldn't take at the beginning. I stayed there, played good tennis and I'm really happy I got him in two sets."
Wesley Koolhoof is also retiring after this week’s Davis Cup, and will be playing next in the doubles.
Win, and he fights another day. Lose, and it’s over.
Nadal will be watching on nervously.
Carlos Alcaraz is expected to be joined by Marcel Granollers in the doubles, and they take on Dutch pair Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp.
There could be a change, we will soon find out if there is.
“I did it for Rafa,” says Alcaraz.
Right, we’re going to have a doubles decider to settle this between Spain and Netherlands.
Alcaraz gets a half-hour break, then it's back on court to help extend Nadal’s career for another few days.
Griekspoor 6-7 3-6 Alcaraz
20:07 , Alex YoungGame, set and match!
A lovely forehand winner from Alcaraz to get things going, prompting another fist pump from Nadal.
Another ridiculous drop shot takes him 30-love up, and Alcaraz immediately points to his ear in celebration. The crowd need no encouragement.
Alcaraz is two points away, before Griekspoor sends it long.
Three match points - he only needs one!
Griekspoor 6-7 3-5* Alcaraz
20:04 , Alex YoungGriekspoor flies through his service game. Alcaraz to serve next to win the match.
A Mexican Wave takes over the arena, which is always a good sign for the quality of a match.
Alcaraz applauds the crowd.
Griekspoor *6-7 2-5 Alcaraz
20:00 , Alex YoungA simple love hold for Alcaraz and he is a game away.
Griekspoor 6-7 2-4* Alcaraz
19:57 , Alex YoungNadal gets up to encourage Alcaraz as Griekspoor fights back from love-30 down to level the scores.
An ace from the Dutchman and then a sweeping forehand return sees out the service game.
Griekspoor *6-7 1-4 Alcaraz
19:53 , Alex YoungAlcaraz hits back with another love hold of his own. Flying through this second set.
Griekspoor 6-7 1-3* Alcaraz
19:51 , Alex YoungA rally from Griekspoor has he pulls out a love hold. He needed that, but is it too little and too late?
Griekspoor *6-7 0-3 Alcaraz
19:48 , Alex YoungIt’s just too easy for Alcaraz now, he is cruising as he holds to 15 to take a commanding lead in the second set.
Griekspoor 6-7 0-2* Alcaraz
19:45 , Alex YoungNadal fist pumps on the sidelines as Griekspoor sends one into the net to trail 15-30 on serve.
The pressure is mounting on the Dutchman, who sends another into the net.
Alcaraz has two break points, and only needs one. Alcaraz holds his finger to his ear in response.
Griekspoor is crumbling.
Griekspoor *6-7 0-1 Alcaraz
19:41 , Alex YoungAlcarez up a set, on serve and cruising.
He holds to love, winning 12 points in a row.
Griekspoor 6-7 Alcaraz
19:34 , Alex YoungAn ace does it! First set to Alcarez, who wins the tiebreak 7-0.
Griekspoor 6-6 (0-6) Alcaraz
19:33 , Alex YoungThe crowd is the loudest it’s been all match as Alcarez earns six set points.
Griekspoor 6-6 (0-5) Alcaraz
19:32 , Alex YoungGriekspoor sends another long and throws his racket in anger. The crowd love it.
Griekspoor 6-6 (0-4) Alcaraz
19:31 , Alex YoungGriekspoor misses the volley at the net to go 0-4 down in the tiebreak. It’s a mountain to climb from here.
Griekspoor 6-6 (0-3) Alcaraz
19:30 , Alex YoungThree big early points for Alcaraz in this tiebreak, and Griekspoor is back on serve.
Griekspoor *6-6 Alcaraz
19:27 , Alex YoungAlcaraz also holds to love and we’ve got a first-set tiebreak to come.
Griekspoor 6-5* Alcaraz
19:24 , Alex YoungGriekspoor is crashing out 222kmph serves again and again. He holds to love. Remarkable.
Griekspoor *5-5 Alcaraz
19:22 , Alex YoungNadal is on his feet at the sidelines as Alcaraz pulls off a stunning drop shot to tease Griekspoor at the net. Glorious.
He sees out the service game.
Griekspoor 5-4* Alcaraz
19:18 , Alex YoungA response from Griekspoor, as he gets back on the board with two quick points.
But here comes Alcaraz with three straight points of his own to earn another break point. Griekspoor pulls out his biggest serve of the match to save one, and then another to take the advantage before finishing it off.
That’s a superb hold of serve.
Griekspoor *4-4 Alcaraz
19:13 , Alex YoungAlcaraz has really woken up after being broken, and holds to love. That’s eight unanswered points in a row.
Griekspoor 4-3* Alcaraz
19:10 , Alex YoungThat’s more like it from Alcaraz, who sends a stunner down the line to go love-30 up.
A hiccup from Griekspoor opens the door again for the Spaniard to earn three break points. He needs to take one, and he takes it!
An immediate break back.
Griekspoor *4-2 Alcaraz
19:06 , Alex YoungGriekspoor finds himself love-40 up after three mistakes from Alcaraz, including a double-fault.
Alcaraz needs to pull himself out of a hole - but can’t! Netherlands break to love!
Griekspoor 3-2* Alcaraz
19:02 , Alex YoungThe Dutch double-faults are back but Griekspoor quickly recovers to hold his serve to 15.
Much better.
Griekspoor *2-2 Alcaraz
18:59 , Alex YoungAlcaraz begins his service game with two aces. The Spaniard is having a far easier time when on serve compared to his counterpart.
It’s a love hold.
Griekspoor 2-1* Alcaraz
18:56 , Alex YoungSublime from Alcaraz, who approaches the net and pulls with a beauty of a drop shot to wrong-foot the Dutchman and draw level at 30-all.
A return into the net gift Alcaraz his first break point, but he can’t take advantafe as Griekspoor sees out his service with another ace.
Griekspoor *1-1 Alcaraz
18:51 , Alex YoungAlcaraz is still a bit rusty, but sees out his first service game with minimal problem thanks for a few aces.
Griekspoor 1-0* Alcaraz
18:47 , Alex YoungAn ace to kicks things off, then, but we don’t have to wait long for Alcaraz’s trademark sweep across the court to get on the board. Stunning for the world no3.
Another ace from the Dutchman sends him 40-15 up, but Alcaraz fights back to force Deuce. Griekspoor eeks out his service game but he’s clearly in a battle here.
Griekspoor on serve first.
Carlos Alcaraz has won all four of his matches against Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked no40 in the world.
Black-Eyed Peas blasts out the PA system briefly before someone decides better of it.
And now, here’s Alcaraz!
Right, it’s time for the light show.
Van de Zandschulp speaks after beating Nadal
18:31 , Alex Young"I think we were both nervous in the beginning. The first service games didn't go smoothly. The crowd were tough but that's what you expect playing Rafa here in Spain.
“He's the biggest sportsman in Spain that ever lived.
"It was tough to close out the match against him knowing it could be his last or not. I was hoping more than going for it. (In the end) I just went for it and it helped."
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 Nadal
18:14 , Alex YoungGame, set and match!
Van de Zandschulp really is impressing tonight, and is being made to answer most things thrown his way by Nadal.
He races into a 30-love lead, before being sent left and right and misses a stunning drop shot by an inch.
It’s suddenly all square and the home crowd roars Nadal on, knowing he needs this break. It’s not to be, though, as Nadal sends one long and Van de Zandschulp mops up the match point.
Van de Zandschulp has not read the script. Over to Carlos Alcaraz to rescue the great.
Van de Zandschulp *6-4 5-4 Nadal
18:07 , Alex YoungNadal has been guilty of a number of mishit returns, and gifts Van de Zandschulp another against serve to leave him with a battle on his hands.
His next serve does into the net, but the second is returned long. And then another. A huge serve is too much for the Dutchman and he holds his serve.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 5-3* Nadal
18:03 , Alex YoungVan de Zandschulp again double-faults. He roared back last time and, after another mistake, sends home his fastest serve of the match for an ace.
Nadal sends the next into the net and we are all square are 30 apiece again. Two more aces and that is how you roar back.
Van de Zandschulp *6-4 4-3 Nadal
17:58 , Alex YoungBack on serve and with the momentum to close the gap on his opponent, Nadal wastes a forehand return and gifts another break point to Van de Zandsculp.
He fights back, again, though and holds in some style.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 4-2* Nadal
17:52 , Alex YoungThe last time Nadal lost in the Davis Cup was way back in 2005, according to the Tennis Channel.
Nadal has a long way back to avoid another tonight, but battles to force his first break point of the match and looks certain to take it but lets his opponent off the hook with a poor choice of shot.
Back at deuce, and more fight from Nadal to force another break point after Van de Zandschulp sends one into the net... and Nadal earns the break of serve.
An eruption from the crowd.
Van de Zandschulp *6-4 4-1 Nadal
17:41 , Alex YoungNadal back on serve and back in danger.
A beauty of an overhand sets him up for a lovely volley at the net, but he sends it wide - not for the first time this match - to hand Van de Zandschulp a break point.
An ace makes paid to that but the Dutchman is back with another straight away.... and gets it with a glorious cross-court winner.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 3-1* Nadal
17:35 , Alex YoungVan de Zandschulp’s old friend, the double-fault, is back for the start of his service game and he twice gifts Nadal points.
Eventually he’s on the board with a big serve and you do wonder how Nadal is going to win points against serve, when Van de Zandschulp actually finds the court.
It’s 30-30 as quick as a flash before Nadal sends one long. Another big serve and the Dutchman holds.
Van de Zandschulp *6-4 2-1 Nadal
17:31 , Alex YoungNadal is struggling with the pace, here. Van de Zandschulp is winning points in a more and more dominant style.
Chances are there for Nadal when his opponent doesn’t get hold of his return properly, and he is making the most of them.
A long return from Nadal sends the game to Deuce. Both players earn and then miss the chance to win the game before the best point of the match sees Nadal hold his service game.
He needed that. Boy, he needed that.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4 2-0* Nadal
17:21 , Alex YoungA huge roar from Nadal as he goes 30-15 up against serve but Van de Zandschulp just fires home three huge serves to see out his service game.
This is becoming a trend.
Van de Zandschulp *6-4 1-0 Nadal
17:17 , Alex YoungNadal back on serve as the second set begins, and he pings a beauty of an overhead volley on the turn to level up at 30-30 after Van de Zandschulp raced a lead.
A lovely return from Van de Zandschulp rallies to force deuce and then gets a gift when Nadal shanks a net approach. Break point and Nadal sends another wide to lose the game.
Van de Zandschulp 6-4* Nadal
17:06 , Alex YoungA stunning forehand return from Van de Zandschulp to get him up and running. He’s brimming full of confidence at the moment, and Nadal is struggling with the pace.
It’s 40-love as Nadal sends two into the net. Three sets points, and he only needs two.
First set to Van de Zandschulp and the Dutch.
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